Shibbir Ahmed, Washington, DC. — Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for ensuring the people’s freedom of choice and participation in determining Bangladesh’s future. She urged the United States to support free and fair elections, an independent judiciary, press freedom, and the protection of political rights in Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest at a press conference organized by the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, on October 19, Sheikh Hasina said the United States did not need to take sides in Bangladesh’s domestic politics. Instead, she said, Washington should support the principle that the people of Bangladesh must be able to choose their government through a free and inclusive political process.

“I am not asking the United States to choose Sheikh Hasina or the Awami League. I am asking the United States to choose democracy,” she said. Bangladesh, she added, should be assessed on the basis of free and fair elections, constitutional governance, due process of law, freedom of expression, political pluralism, and equality before the law.

She said political differences were a normal part of democracy and stressed the importance of government accountability. However, she argued that dissent should not be used as a pretext to exclude any political party from the political process or disregard the rights of millions of citizens.

Sheikh Hasina said Awami League supporters were citizens of Bangladesh and should not be excluded from political participation. At the same time, she called for respecting the rights of opponents of her government. In her view, Bangladesh’s future should be built on compromise and reconciliation rather than revenge.

She also addressed questions surrounding her government’s role, the events of 2024, and the subsequent situation in Bangladesh. She said she was prepared to answer these questions. According to her, allegations against any individual, including herself, should be resolved through transparent, credible, and impartial legal proceedings rather than political declarations or statements.

She emphasized the need to protect people affected by violence and their families, ensure the rights of those detained unlawfully, and guarantee accused individuals a fair opportunity to defend themselves. She said justice could not be established without due process and lasting peace could not be secured without justice.

Calling for broader Bangladesh-US relations, Sheikh Hasina highlighted economic cooperation, American investment, partnerships in education and technology, security cooperation, and stronger people-to-people connections between the two countries.

She said Bangladesh should move forward as a sovereign nation capable of maintaining constructive relations with the United States, India, China, Japan, and Europe. She also expressed the hope that Bangladesh would serve as a bridge between different regions rather than become an arena for rivalry among major powers.

According to Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s strategic location along the Bay of Bengal and within the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the connection between the US market and the livelihoods of millions of Bangladeshis, make stability and prosperity a shared interest for both countries. She added that bilateral relations should be built on long-term national interests rather than depend on any particular individual or government.

Referring to the development initiatives undertaken by her government, Sheikh Hasina cited economic growth, infrastructure development, expanded electricity access, digital connectivity, poverty reduction, and Bangladesh’s changing position on the international stage. She argued that development should not be used as a justification for restricting democracy, just as development should not be obstructed in the name of democracy. Bangladesh, she said, needs both democracy and development, freedom and security, and justice and reconciliation.

Sheikh Hasina outlined her vision of a Bangladesh where political opponents engage in dialogue instead of conflict, election results are determined by voters, journalists can report without fear, and young people can express their opinions freely.

She also said economic opportunities should be based on merit rather than political affiliation, and every citizen should have the opportunity to participate in shaping the country’s future.

She called on the United States to support free elections, independent courts, press freedom, the right to political association, minority protection, due process of law, economic openness, and peaceful political competition.

Highlighting the Bangladesh-American community as an important bridge between the two countries, she said people of Bangladeshi origin contribute to American society as entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, workers, and community leaders. According to Sheikh Hasina, the friendship between the peoples of Bangladesh and the United States should endure beyond individual governments, political parties, and differences of opinion.

The press conference was moderated by Rana Hasan Mahmud, Executive Director of the Center for US-Bangladesh Relations. Sajeeb Wazed Joy, an adviser to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, attended the event as a special guest.

MUMBAI — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Tuesday that Washington and New Delhi were close to finalizing a trade agreement, expressing optimism that the deal could be concluded soon as the two countries seek to strengthen economic, energy and strategic cooperation.

“We’re about as close as you can be without having executed the agreement,” Rubio told reporters in Mumbai. He said only a small number of issues remained to be resolved and expressed hope that an announcement could come shortly, followed by the signing of the agreement.

Rubio described India as an important commercial and strategic partner of the United States, highlighting its position as the world’s most populous country and largest democracy. He also pointed to bilateral defense cooperation and India’s role in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, known as the Quad, which includes the United States, India, Japan and Australia.

The proposed trade agreement remains a key issue in relations between the two countries, which have faced disagreements over U.S. tariffs and India’s purchases of Russian oil. Rubio said the State Department does not directly negotiate trade agreements but remains closely involved in the discussions.

The secretary also addressed concerns over U.S. support for Ukraine, saying he had spoken with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for 45 minutes earlier Tuesday. Rubio rejected reports that President Donald Trump had ordered changes to intelligence sharing with Kyiv or deliberately withheld assistance from Ukraine.

“The President made it very clear he’s ordered no such changes,” Rubio said, referring to intelligence sharing.

However, Rubio acknowledged that a shipment of air-defense interceptors purchased by European countries for Ukraine under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, program might not yet have been delivered. He said such transfers are reviewed against competing defense requirements and the need to protect American military installations and personnel in Europe and the Middle East.

“There’s nothing being deliberately denied to Ukraine,” Rubio said, arguing that the United States must balance its commitments to Kyiv with the needs of other partners and its own defense requirements.

He said interceptors were among the most sought-after weapons in the world, but their sophisticated technology, high production costs and lengthy manufacturing process limited the speed at which supplies could be expanded. Rubio added that U.S. production was increasing.

Rubio also said Washington was examining reports of possible technical problems affecting Ukraine’s ability to process and respond to advance warnings of Russian attacks on October 13 and October 18. He said the reported difficulties were understood to be technical rather than the result of a U.S. decision to withhold intelligence.

The secretary acknowledged tensions between Washington and Kyiv, saying Trump was frustrated by the lack of progress in negotiations to end the war. He reiterated that the administration wanted both sides to reach a negotiated settlement, citing continuing casualties, damage to Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure and the risk of escalation. Rubio also raised concerns about attacks affecting energy infrastructure and commercial shipping, including incidents involving American business interests. He said the broader impact of conflicts on global fuel supplies had become a growing concern for governments around the world.

Energy security was a central issue in Rubio’s discussions about India. He said Indian companies could help increase the processing of Venezuelan crude oil, noting that India has substantial refining capacity and experience handling heavy crude. Rubio said he planned to visit Reliance Industries’ refinery complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Wednesday and discuss opportunities involving Venezuelan oil. The company has the technical capability to refine heavy crude, a characteristic of much of Venezuela’s oil production.

He said additional Venezuelan supplies could provide some relief to global energy markets, although they would not fully offset disruptions elsewhere. Rubio added that existing U.S. sanctions-related restrictions concerning Venezuela would need to be considered as the two sides explored possible arrangements.

The secretary emphasized that energy security depends not only on oil production but also on refining capacity, transportation and access to affordable fuel. Disruptions affecting the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabian pipelines and the Russia-Ukraine war have added pressure to global supplies, he said.

Rubio welcomed India’s efforts to diversify its energy sources, describing a broader energy portfolio as beneficial to the country and its international partnerships. Asked about India’s purchases of Russian oil, he said New Delhi had made substantial progress in diversifying its supplies but acknowledged that shifting away from a major source could not happen overnight. He said a strong U.S.-India partnership and a more diverse Indian energy supply could serve the interests of both countries.

Rubio also expressed support for the possibility of a summit involving the United States, Russia and China to discuss nuclear issues and arms control. He argued that communication among the world’s three leading nuclear powers would benefit international security, even if major disagreements remained unresolved.

“The world is a safer place when the leaders of the most powerful nuclear arsenals in the world are at least communicating with one another,” Rubio said. He acknowledged uncertainty about whether Beijing would agree to arms-control discussions but said the effort was worth pursuing. He argued that diplomatic engagement should not be viewed as a concession and that negotiations require communication between opposing sides.

Rubio’s remarks highlighted the range of issues confronting U.S. foreign policy, from efforts to finalize a trade agreement with India and strengthen energy cooperation to managing military support for Ukraine and exploring dialogue among the world’s leading nuclear powers.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The United States will continue pressing the international community to hold the Cuban government accountable for alleged human rights abuses, political imprisonment, forced labor and corruption, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said at a news briefing in New York. Speaking at the Foreign Press Center, Waltz accused the Cuban government of using its annual campaign at the United Nations against the U.S. embargo to deflect attention from its domestic human rights record. He said Washington would challenge what it considers misleading claims by Havana and urge other countries to give greater attention to the suffering of the Cuban people.

The briefing featured Jamie Fly, chief executive officer of Freedom House, who outlined concerns about political repression, restrictions on civil liberties and the treatment of prisoners in Cuba. Waltz said the U.S. mission to the United Nations had arranged for diplomats to hear directly from former Cuban political prisoners and independent experts about alleged abuses, corruption and the concentration of economic power in the hands of the Cuban military and ruling elite.

“We are not going to allow those lies to be propagated here unchecked, unchallenged,” Waltz said, referring to the Cuban government’s position on the U.S. embargo and the country’s economic difficulties.

Fly said Cuba has been classified as “Not Free” throughout the 53-year history of Freedom House’s Freedom in the World report. According to Fly, Cuba received a score of just 9 out of 100 in the organization’s freedom index, including zero points for political rights. He also cited figures from Prisoners Defenders, a human rights organization that monitors political imprisonment in Cuba, saying more than 1,300 political prisoners remain in the country.

Those imprisoned include political activists, journalists, artists and ordinary citizens who have protested shortages of food, medicine and electricity or called for greater political freedom, Fly said. He highlighted the cases of musician Maykel Castillo Pérez and political activist Félix Navarro and his daughter, Saylí Navarro. Fly said Castillo Pérez had reportedly been handcuffed, forcibly restrained by several guards and subjected to a forced haircut during a recent security operation at his prison.

He also pointed to a September 17, 2026, European Parliament resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Félix Navarro and his daughter, citing concerns about their treatment and health conditions. Fly said the cases illustrate the broader restrictions on freedom of expression, association, assembly and political participation in Cuba.

Waltz criticized Cuba’s overseas medical missions, alleging that the government exploits doctors and nurses by withholding their earnings and placing pressure on their families at home. He argued that the programs, which Cuba has long presented as a form of international medical cooperation, raise serious concerns about labor rights and coercion.

The United States has urged governments, particularly in Latin America, to reconsider their participation in arrangements that Washington alleges facilitate forced labor, Waltz said. The Cuban government’s response to the allegations was not presented at the briefing.

Waltz also accused the Cuban military-linked business conglomerate GAESA of exercising extensive control over the country’s economy while ordinary Cubans face shortages of basic necessities. He questioned why fuel and electricity appeared to remain more readily available to security services and privileged groups while much of the population struggled with shortages.

The briefing came ahead of a United Nations vote on a resolution concerning the U.S. embargo against Cuba, scheduled for October 27–28, according to remarks at the event. Waltz said U.S. diplomats were engaging with other countries to encourage them to reconsider their positions on the resolution in light of Washington’s human rights concerns.

He also raised allegations about Cuban nationals recruited to fight for Russia in Ukraine, arguing that money associated with such activities benefits the Cuban government rather than the individuals involved. Waltz cited information presented by Ukrainian officials concerning Cuban recruitment and urged European governments to consider the issue when deciding how to vote at the United Nations. He said human rights should receive the same serious attention as peace, security and development in the work of the international organization.

Addressing Cuba’s economic and humanitarian difficulties, Waltz said President Donald Trump had recently released $100 million in humanitarian assistance intended to help people in need. According to Waltz, the assistance was to be distributed through the Catholic Church and other organizations. He alleged that the Cuban government was attempting to control the distribution of the aid.

Waltz said Washington wanted to see greater economic openness, basic freedoms and an end to practices it considers coercive. He identified the ability of humanitarian assistance to reach vulnerable people as one measure of whether conditions were improving.

During the question-and-answer session, Waltz was asked about reports that Florida had secured an arrest warrant for former Cuban leader Raúl Castro in connection with the 1996 shooting down of two aircraft operated by the exile organization Brothers to the Rescue. Waltz said the case represented a long-standing demand for justice and noted that federal and state-level legal proceedings were relevant to efforts to establish accountability. He said the Trump administration took alleged human rights abuses seriously and expressed confidence that accountability would eventually be pursued.

The briefing concluded with a question about accountability for atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar. Although the moderator initially sought to keep the discussion focused on Cuba, Waltz said the administration took the suffering of Rohingya refugees in camps seriously.

The event underscored Washington’s effort to place Cuba’s human rights record at the center of its diplomatic engagement at the United Nations ahead of the upcoming vote on the embargo resolution. The allegations raised by U.S. officials and Freedom House at the briefing were not accompanied by a response from the Cuban government during the session.

DHAKA: Bangladesh has expressed its desire to build a stronger, more effective and results-oriented partnership with UNICEF to improve maternal and child health, ensure quality education, empower adolescent girls, strengthen child protection and enhance climate resilience. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam conveyed the government’s expectations during a meeting with visiting UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka yesterday.

The meeting discussed various aspects of the longstanding cooperation between Bangladesh and UNICEF in promoting the development and welfare of women and children. Shama Obaed praised UNICEF’s contributions to the advancement and well-being of women and children in Bangladesh since the country’s independence. She said the government was committed to building an inclusive society that ensures dignity, equal opportunities and access to essential services for women and children.

She also highlighted the government’s priority initiatives, including the Family Card and Farmer Card programmes, noting that financial assistance to women-headed households would help strengthen women’s economic empowerment.

The State Minister outlined several government initiatives in education, including school feeding programmes, free textbook distribution and free education opportunities for female students up to the undergraduate level. Highlighting Bangladesh’s significant progress in reducing maternal and child mortality, Shama said the government had nearly doubled budget allocations for the health sector to strengthen healthcare services.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to improving educational standards, she said investment in education would gradually increase, with the aim of raising education spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). On child marriage, she stressed the importance of addressing its underlying socioeconomic causes, including poverty, social norms, school dropouts and limited opportunities for girls.

The meeting also discussed gender-related risks arising from climate change, violence against women, including online harassment, and juvenile crime. In this connection, Shama referred to her recent meeting with Meta officials in New York, where discussions included the possibility of establishing a local office of the company in Bangladesh to ensure faster responses to complaints. She also outlined various government measures aimed at addressing juvenile crime.

The State Minister expressed appreciation for UNICEF’s assistance in ensuring education, healthcare, nutrition and protection for Rohingya children in Bangladesh. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell praised Bangladesh’s progress in reducing child mortality and stunting, increasing school attendance and birth registration, and expanding access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

Russell expressed gratitude for the government’s cooperation and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to continuing its support for Bangladesh. Among those attending the meeting from UNICEF were UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Gillian Mellsop, Deputy Representative Emmanuel Abiru and Child Protection Specialist Shabnaz Zaherin Catherine.

Foreign Secretary Ambassador Asad Alam Siam and Director General Kazi Ehsanul Haque were also present. The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Bangladesh and UNICEF to advancing the rights, protection and well-being of women and children through stronger cooperation and targeted development initiatives.

DHAKA: The government is stepping up efforts to curb juvenile gang activities across Bangladesh, with the Home Ministry deciding to establish anti-juvenile gang committees in all upazilas across the country. Under the decision, Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) will serve as presidents of the committees, while the officers-in-charge (OCs) of the respective police stations will act as member-secretaries.

The initiative aims to strengthen coordination between local administration and law enforcement agencies to address juvenile gang activities more effectively at the grassroots level. With administrative officials and police working under a unified framework, the committees are expected to improve monitoring, enhance information sharing and support preventive measures to keep young people away from gang-related activities.

The move reflects the government’s tougher approach to tackling juvenile gangs amid growing concerns over youth violence, criminal activities and public safety across the country. The formation of committees in every upazila is expected to bring local authorities closer to communities and help strengthen efforts to prevent juvenile delinquency. The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on coordinated action, regular monitoring and the implementation of preventive measures at the local level.

DHAKA: Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have reaffirmed their support for the Rohingya genocide case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), expressing hope that the legal proceedings will help pave the way for a lasting solution to the prolonged crisis. The commitment was reiterated at a meeting of the OIC Ministerial Ad-Hoc Committee on Accountability for Human Rights Violations Against the Rohingya, held on the sidelines of the 52nd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Baghdad, Iraq, according to a Foreign Ministry press release issued on Sunday.

Addressing the meeting as co-chair, Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir called on OIC member states to strengthen unity and take proactive steps to resolve the longstanding Rohingya crisis. Kobir, who is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the ministerial conference, stressed that justice and accountability through international legal mechanisms are essential to achieving a sustainable solution to the humanitarian crisis.

Describing the Rohingya crisis as a major challenge facing the Muslim Ummah, he urged OIC member states to pursue coordinated efforts to strengthen humanitarian assistance and support ongoing legal proceedings.

He also emphasised the need for sustained international engagement to keep the Rohingya crisis high on the global agenda. The state minister highlighted the five-point action plan presented by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Referring to the plan, Kobir called for urgent and decisive international action, particularly to ensure justice and accountability through established legal frameworks. He urged OIC member states to turn their solidarity with the Rohingya people into concrete initiatives to address the crisis and support efforts towards a durable solution.

At the meeting, OIC member states reiterated their commitment to supporting the case before the ICJ and expressed optimism that the judicial process could contribute to resolving the protracted crisis.

The discussions underscored the importance of collective international efforts to ensure accountability for human rights violations against the Rohingya and advance prospects for a lasting resolution. Bangladesh continues to host approximately 1.4 million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar while pursuing diplomatic efforts to secure their safe, voluntary and sustainable return.

DHAKA: Japanese investors have announced plans for an initial investment of $1.2 billion in Bangladesh’s tourism and hospitality sector, signaling potential new opportunities for foreign investment in the country’s tourism industry. The announcement was made during a meeting with Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday afternoon.

According to a ministry press release, the Japanese delegation expressed strong interest in investing in Bangladesh’s tourism industry and working with the government to develop tourism infrastructure and hospitality facilities. Welcoming the initiative, Minister Millat assured the investors of the government’s cooperation, saying necessary steps would be taken once formal investment proposals were submitted.

The minister said the government was keen to attract foreign investment through mutually beneficial public-private partnerships (PPPs), ensuring positive outcomes for both investors and Bangladesh. Highlighting the country’s tourism potential, Millat pointed to the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, Cox’s Bazar’s extensive natural sea beach and the scenic tea gardens of Sylhet. He said international investment, alongside improvements in tourism infrastructure and services, could help unlock the sector’s potential.

Describing Japan as a longstanding development partner, the minister highlighted its contributions to Bangladesh’s major infrastructure projects. He expressed optimism that Japanese investment and expertise could support the growth of the country’s tourism industry. Millat also instructed the relevant authorities to arrange visits for the Japanese delegation to potential tourism destinations so they could assess investment opportunities.

A delegation from the Bangladesh Tourism Board (BTB) is expected to facilitate visits to prospective sites and help investors identify suitable projects. The Japanese representatives reaffirmed their interest in building a long-term partnership with Bangladesh in tourism and hospitality. The proposed $1.2 billion investment will move forward for consideration once the investors submit formal proposals to the government.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — With climate-related disasters intensifying and international efforts struggling to deliver sufficiently ambitious action, the United Nations is urging countries to rebuild trust in global climate cooperation ahead of the next UN climate conference, COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. At a high-level meeting at UN Headquarters on October 16, representatives associated with successive climate conference presidencies discussed how governments could restore confidence in international climate action while responding more effectively to the growing consequences of global warming.

The event, convened by UN General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman, brought the climate process into focus less than a month before COP31. Discussions addressed adaptation, resilience, climate finance, technology transfer, capacity-building and international cooperation, with particular attention to countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The devastation caused by extreme weather in Nepal served as a stark reminder of the human cost of climate change. Opening the meeting, Rahman highlighted the gap between scientific warnings and the ability of communities and governments to prepare for increasingly dangerous events. He also warned of the implications of a strengthening El Niño, which could intensify climate-related risks in an already warming world.

According to the UN account of the meeting, current climate policies put the world on a trajectory toward approximately 2.8°C of warming above pre-industrial levels. That outlook remains far above the temperature limits established under the 2015 Paris Agreement. The figures underline the scale of the challenge facing governments: existing commitments and policies are not yet sufficient to keep global warming within the agreement’s goals.

The upcoming climate conference in Türkiye will provide governments with another opportunity to advance implementation of the Paris Agreement and strengthen international cooperation.
A central challenge will be converting national climate pledges into measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while improving countries’ capacity to adapt to the effects of climate change.

The European Union is preparing to push for a package of measures aimed at accelerating emissions reductions at COP31. According to a Reuters report published on October 12, the proposed approach includes extending the UN mitigation work programme beyond its current 2026 expiry and encouraging governments to translate existing commitments into practical action.

However, climate negotiations remain complicated by differences over national development priorities, fossil-fuel use and the financial support available to developing countries. The EU’s current proposal does not include new climate-finance commitments, a position that could create friction with lower-income countries seeking greater assistance to address climate impacts and transition to cleaner energy.

For developing countries, rebuilding trust in climate diplomacy will require more than declarations of ambition. Access to predictable financing, affordable technology and support for adaptation remains essential, particularly for countries facing severe climate risks despite contributing relatively little to historical greenhouse gas emissions. The UN meeting highlighted the importance of strengthening early-warning systems, improving disaster preparedness and ensuring that climate assistance reaches communities most exposed to extreme weather.

Least-developed countries, small island developing States, landlocked developing countries and low-lying coastal nations are among those with particularly pressing adaptation needs. For countries such as Bangladesh, where coastal communities face risks from cyclones, flooding, salinity and rising sea levels, the outcome of international negotiations on climate finance and resilience could have significant implications.

The difficulties extend beyond negotiations over emissions and finance. On October 16, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) suspended a meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, without reaching agreement on the timetable for its next major assessment of climate science. The dispute raises concerns about whether the assessment will be available in time to inform the next UN climate talks and the global review of progress under the Paris Agreement in 2028.

Reuters reported that a group of 30 countries called for progress, while other governments sought more time to ensure meaningful participation by scientists from countries with fewer resources.
The IPCC said discussions on the timetable and budget remain open and will resume at the earliest opportunity. The episode illustrates the wider diplomatic challenge: governments must agree not only on what action to take but also on how scientific evidence will inform their decisions.

The success of COP31 will depend on whether governments can bridge differences and demonstrate that international climate cooperation delivers practical results. That means stronger implementation of existing commitments, greater resilience to climate disasters, effective support for vulnerable communities and credible progress on emissions reductions.

As climate impacts become more visible, the pressure on governments to move beyond promises is growing. The coming weeks will test whether international climate diplomacy can rebuild confidence and generate concrete progress before the next major round of negotiations in Türkiye.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The race to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations has entered a decisive phase, with Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan emerging as the narrow frontrunner in the latest informal Security Council poll. However, opposition from permanent members of the Council has left the contest without a clear winner. According to a Reuters report published on October 16, Grynspan secured nine votes marked “encourage,” five marked “discourage” and one “no opinion” in the sixth informal ballot. Crucially, two of the negative votes came from permanent members of the Security Council, whose positions carry decisive weight in the selection process.

The latest poll underscores the diplomatic challenge facing candidates seeking to succeed current Secretary-General António Guterres, whose second term ends on December 31, 2026. No candidate has yet secured the support needed to overcome opposition from the Council’s five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Alongside Grynspan, Argentina’s Rafael Grossi and Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett remain prominent contenders. Both received eight “encourage” votes and six “discourage” votes in the latest poll, according to reporting by The National. Each also faced opposition from two permanent members.

Grynspan, a former Vice-President of Costa Rica and head of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), has called for significant reforms to make the world body more effective. In remarks reported by Reuters on October 15, she argued that the UN had become too risk-averse and called for stronger diplomatic engagement, more effective conflict prevention and a review of overlapping responsibilities across UN agencies. If elected, Grynspan would become the first woman to serve as UN Secretary-General since the organisation was founded in 1945.

The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council. Under the established selection procedure, a candidate must obtain at least nine affirmative votes in the 15-member Council and avoid a veto from any of its five permanent members.

The latest ballot therefore does not amount to a final election. Instead, it offers an indication of the candidates’ standing and the diplomatic obstacles that must be overcome before the Council can recommend a nominee to the General Assembly.

The selection process remains open to further diplomatic negotiations and potentially additional candidates. With the end of Guterres’s term approaching, Council members face mounting pressure to reach an agreement in time for an orderly leadership transition.

The leadership contest comes at a time when the UN faces mounting pressure to respond to armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, geopolitical divisions and questions about the effectiveness of multilateral institutions. The next Secretary-General will be expected to strengthen the organisation’s ability to mediate conflicts, coordinate humanitarian assistance, advance sustainable development and uphold international law.

For now, Grynspan’s lead in the latest poll has not translated into a clear path to appointment. The decisive question remains whether any candidate can secure sufficient support among Council members while avoiding opposition from the five permanent powers.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Awami League President and former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed her desire to return to Bangladesh in December, calling for the restoration of democracy, voting rights, and the rule of law in the country.

In an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Hasina said Bangladesh was going through a serious national crisis. According to her, democratic space had narrowed, the judiciary was being used for political retaliation, media freedom had been restricted, and law and order had deteriorated. She also said that minorities were facing insecurity, extremist forces had regained ground, and the economy had suffered. She said factory closures, rising unemployment, declining investment, electricity and gas shortages, and increasing prices were putting pressure on ordinary families.

Hasina said returning to Bangladesh could expose her to the risk of arrest, imprisonment, or even death. Referring to the killing of members of her family in 1975, her return to Bangladesh in 1981, and the grenade attack on August 21, 2004, she said those experiences had not changed her determination.

According to Hasina, the death sentence handed down against her was politically motivated and delivered without giving her an adequate opportunity to defend herself. She said many Awami League leaders had left the country to protect their lives, while those remaining in Bangladesh were also facing pressure.

Hasina said the Awami League maintained an organisational base across Bangladesh. According to her, the party was demanding democracy, the rule of law, the release of political prisoners, the withdrawal of what she described as false cases, protection for minorities, action against extremism, and economic recovery.

She said the Awami League wanted to return to power through free and fair elections. However, she added that the party would have to accept the people’s decision if voters elected another political party.

Hasina said Bangladesh’s foreign policy should be guided by the principle of “friendship to all, malice towards none.” She described India as Bangladesh’s closest neighbour and historic friend, while identifying China as an important partner. She also stressed the importance of maintaining relations with Japan, the United States, Europe, ASEAN, and the Muslim world.

She highlighted cooperation with India during her government’s tenure in security, connectivity, energy, trade, and border management. She referred to the Ganges water-sharing treaty, the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, the Land Boundary Agreement, the exchange of enclaves, bus and train links, port access, and energy cooperation.

Speaking about the Teesta River management project, Hasina said it should be transparent, technically sound, and environmentally responsible. According to her, the issue was connected to water resources, agriculture, the environment, people’s livelihoods, and relations between Bangladesh and India. She said a solution should be pursued through dialogue and mutual respect to ensure Bangladesh’s fair share of Teesta waters.

Hasina described Bangladesh’s decision not to participate in the BRICS summit held in India as unfortunate and immature. In her view, the decision had harmed Bangladesh’s national interests and caused the country to miss opportunities for international cooperation. She said foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations or political reactions, adding that Bangladesh needed to maintain balanced relations with different countries.

Hasina said Bangladesh’s economy had expanded from approximately $70 billion to $450 billion during the Awami League government’s tenure. According to figures she cited, per capita income had increased from $482 to $2,784. She said the poverty rate had fallen from 41 per cent to 18.6 per cent, while extreme poverty had declined from 25.1 per cent to 5.6 per cent.

She also said Bangladesh’s power generation capacity had increased from 3,782 megawatts to more than 28,000 megawatts. Among the development projects she highlighted were the Padma Bridge, metro rail, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, the Matarbari project, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the Bangabandhu Satellite, roads, bridges, ports, economic zones, community clinics, and housing projects for landless families.

Discussing the current economic situation, Hasina said GDP growth had slowed, non-performing loans had increased, investment had declined, and unemployment had risen. She claimed that more than 500 factories had closed and over 20 million people had become newly unemployed.

She also said many industrialists and businesspeople were in prison or in hiding. According to her, the government was borrowing between Tk 7 billion and Tk 9 billion daily from banks, while the costs of various projects had increased by between 50 per cent and 250 per cent.

Addressing the measles situation, Hasina said there had been delays in procuring vaccines and that Muhammad Yunus had been warned about shortages of vaccines for children. She alleged that vaccines had not been procured on time and that the issue had not subsequently been addressed with the urgency required. Hasina claimed that more than 1,000 children had died and held Muhammad Yunus and Tarique Rahman responsible for the situation.

Speaking about the 2024 student movement, Hasina said her government had taken steps to resolve the dispute over quotas. She noted that the quota system had been abolished following the student movement in 2018. According to her, the protests continued in 2024 even after the demands had been addressed and later developed into a movement to bring down the government.

Referring to a statement by Muhammad Yunus, Hasina questioned who had been involved in planning, financing, and organising violence during the movement. She said a judicial commission had been formed to investigate violence on July 18, 2024, but alleged that it was discontinued after Yunus came to power. She further claimed that participants in the movement had received legal protection while numerous cases had been filed against Awami League leaders and activists. Hasina said an independent investigation was needed to identify those who ordered, organised, financed, or benefited from killings, arson, and other acts of violence.

Hasina said her government had taken initiatives to encourage the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to participate in the 2024 election. She claimed that Khaleda Zia had been invited for talks and that proposals had been made to include representatives of different political parties in the government during the election period. According to Hasina, the BNP rejected these proposals and boycotted the election.

She referred to incidents involving attacks and arson targeting vehicles, trains, schools, and polling centres at different times. She also mentioned the Hefazat-e-Islam movement in 2013, pre-election violence in 2014, the Holey Artisan attack in 2016, and the BNP’s participation in the 2018 election. Hasina said political parties should participate in elections and accept the people’s verdict in a democracy.

Hasina called on the international community to support democracy, human rights, the rule of law, political participation, and media freedom in Bangladesh. She said it would not be possible to build an inclusive Bangladesh by banning a major political party, keeping its leaders in prison, restricting media freedom, and excluding millions of people from the political process. In the PTI interview, Hasina reiterated her desire to return to Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of democracy, voting rights, and the rule of law.