Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has described the appointment of recently resigned Saima Wazed Putul to a senior position at the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'very unfortunate', alleging that she lacked the qualifications, experience, and expertise required for such a high-level post.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Kobir expressed his dissatisfaction at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He criticized the decision by highlighting that Putul, who is the daughter of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was appointed as the regional director for Southeast Asia, despite lacking credible qualifications and expertise. The State Minister emphasized that such appointments bring shame to international organisations and called for greater scrutiny in selecting individuals for senior roles.
Kobir further elaborated that the WHO, being a highly significant international entity, requires leaders with appropriate professional expertise. He stated that Bangladesh would support candidates with the necessary qualifications in the future and mentioned a candidate from the Maldives as having a strong track record and credentials. He expressed hope that competent individuals would lead international organisations moving forward.
The State Minister also raised concerns about potential irregularities or corruption involved in such appointments, asserting that issues could surface over time. He underlined the importance of examining the credibility, experience, and expertise of candidates before making such critical appointments.
Kobir also discussed the government's efforts to recover assets allegedly siphoned out of Bangladesh. He mentioned partnerships with international allies, including the United Kingdom, aimed at retrieving laundered funds. He stressed that recovered assets should benefit the public rather than end up with individuals.
The State Minister's remarks underscore the importance of transparency and merit-based appointments in international organisations, reflecting Bangladesh's commitment to integrity and accountability in global governance.