Dhaka: Dozens of global leaders gathered on Friday to meet Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his hotel suite, offering their full support to him and his interim government. They expressed readiness to provide their expertise and assistance to Bangladesh during this pivotal time.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a delegation led by former President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga met Professor Yunus on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Vike-Freiberga, who is also co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), was accompanied by a high-profile group including Borut Pahor, Boris Tadic, Egils Levits, Charles Michel, George Papandreou, Rosen Plevneliev, Petar Stoyanov, Ivo Josipovic, Mladen Ivanic, and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim.
Also present were a former secretary general of the Commonwealth, a former deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, four former Presidents of the UN General Assembly, several former foreign ministers, Ismail Serageldin, Kerry Kennedy, and senior representatives from the IAEA and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
The world leaders praised Professor Yunus’s leadership and lifelong dedication to eradicating poverty and promoting social justice. They emphasized their support for Bangladesh and acknowledged the country’s recent progress under Professor Yunus’s leadership, while also noting the serious challenges it faces after years of misrule, corruption, and exploitation.
Several leaders pledged their expertise to help the interim government navigate reconstruction and economic recovery. Kerry Kennedy, who recently visited Bangladesh, commended the country’s human rights progress, while Melanne Verveer announced the Georgetown Institute’s forthcoming support for the July Revolution in Bangladesh.
Professor Yunus expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support, comparing the challenges his administration faces to surviving a major natural disaster. He stressed the importance of managing public expectations and fulfilling the dreams of the youth, calling on the international community to support the upcoming general elections.
SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.