United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is currently on a four-day visit to Bangladesh. On the third day of his visit, he held discussions with various political parties and stakeholders as part of his scheduled activities.
The meeting took place on Saturday (March 15) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka.
Following the discussions, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir emphasized the need for reforms but urged that they be completed swiftly to pave the way for election discussions. He suggested that other issues should be addressed in Parliament, as reforms are an ongoing process.
BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed noted that the UN views reforms and elections as Bangladesh's internal matters, which must be resolved by its people. He also mentioned that the UN Secretary-General expressed optimism about the establishment of a strong democratic government in Bangladesh.
Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar stated that their discussion focused on reforms, free and fair elections, sustainable democracy, and national unity. He further mentioned that the UN Secretary-General was hopeful about a fair electoral process.
National Citizens' Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam highlighted his party’s commitment to reforms and justice for genocide victims. He stressed that meaningful elections cannot take place without prior reforms and that the current government must lay the foundation for these reforms. Additionally, he discussed constitutional and parliamentary matters.
Ganosamhati Andolon Coordinator Zonayed Saki urged the UN to assist in ensuring justice for the July genocide and shared his party’s stance on reforms and elections based on national consensus.
Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party) General Secretary Asaduzzaman Fuad called for UN support in implementing recommendations from its genocide report. He also alleged that relatives of Sheikh Hasina still hold positions in three UN agencies.
Other notable attendees included Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna, CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince, and others.
Additionally, several key figures from reform commissions attended, including Interim Government Legal Advisor Asif Nazrul, National Consensus Commission Vice President Ali Riaz, Public Administration Reform Commission Chairman Abdul Muid Chowdhury, Police Reform Commission Chairman Safar Raj Hossain, Election Reform Commission Chairman Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission Chairman Iftekharuzzaman.
Earlier, UN Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Dhaka on Thursday (March 13) at 5:00 pm for his official visit. He was received at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Tawhid Hossain. On Friday (March 14), he visited Cox's Bazar, where he shared Iftar with Rohingya refugees.
