Economy
CA Prof Yunus to Meet President Biden at UNGA
Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 24.
According to sources in Dhaka and New York, Washington confirmed the Yunus-Biden meeting last Thursday. As a result, Dr. Yunus will depart for New York a day earlier, on September 23, instead of his initially planned departure on September 24.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain informed reporters on September 21 that Dr. Yunus is also expected to engage in bilateral discussions with the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal during his visit.
Additionally, Dr. Yunus will meet with several prominent global figures, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and USAID Administrator Samantha Power for further bilateral talks.
However, in response to a question, Foreign Adviser Hossain clarified that no meeting is scheduled between Dr. Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to a scheduling conflict.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised its economic growth forecast for Bangladesh to 5.1% for the current fiscal year, citing political unrest in July and August, as well as recent floods, as key factors. The Asian Development Outlook report, released on September 25, noted that the forecast remains uncertain due to significant risks affecting the macroeconomic outlook.
These risks include ongoing political instability, security concerns, and vulnerabilities in the financial sector. The report also highlighted tight fiscal and monetary policies, which are expected to limit consumption and investment demand.
Back in April, ADB had predicted Bangladesh’s GDP growth would reach 6.6% for the fiscal year 2024-25.
Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, held a bilateral meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday. He also met with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during another UNGA event at the UN headquarters.
Prof Yunus shared the stage with former US President Bill Clinton at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024. Additionally, he met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva during the UNGA session.
Yunus attended a High-Level Side Event on the Rohingya crisis and later spoke at a reception marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s membership in the United Nations.
Earlier in the day, Prof Yunus had a historic bilateral meeting with US President Joseph R. Biden, the first of its kind between a US president and a Bangladeshi head of government during the UNGA.
The United States has announced nearly $199 million in new assistance to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The announcement was made by Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya during a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24.
According to a press release from the US Department of State, this new funding includes almost $70 million from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) and over $129 million from USAID. Of the USAID allocation, $78 million will come from the Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, which will be used to purchase, ship, and distribute food from American farmers to Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh.
The aid is aimed at providing life-saving support, including food, shelter, and protection for those displaced by violence and persecution. The funds will also be directed towards disaster preparedness, educational access, skills training, and helping refugees prepare for a possible return to their homeland when conditions are safe.
Since the onset of the Rohingya crisis in August 2017, the US government has provided over $2.5 billion in aid for the regional response, with more than $2.1 billion allocated to Bangladesh. Of this amount, nearly $1.3 billion was contributed through PRM.
“The United States remains committed to assisting crisis-affected communities in Bangladesh and the region and urges other donors to maintain their support,” the press release concluded.
