Dozens of prominent international figures have met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at his hotel suite in the United States, voicing strong backing for him and Bangladesh’s interim government.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday, the leaders assured Yunus of their willingness to share expertise and extend assistance as Bangladesh navigates a critical transitional phase, reports BSS.
The delegation was led by former Latvian president Vaira Vike-Freiberga, co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC). Other high-profile attendees included Borut Pahor, ex-president of Slovenia, Boris Tadić, former president of Serbia, Egils Levits, former president of Latvia, Charles Michel, president emeritus of the European Council and Belgium’s ex-prime minister, George Papandreou, former prime minister of Greece, Rosen Plevneliev and Petar Stoyanov, both former Bulgarian presidents; Ivo Josipović, ex-president of Croatia, Mladen Ivanić, former president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, ex-president of Mauritius.
A former Commonwealth secretary-general, a former Georgian deputy prime minister, four past UNGA presidents, several ex-foreign ministers, Ismail Serageldin (former World Bank vice-president and NGIC co-chair), Kerry Kennedy (President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights), and senior representatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security were also present.
The leaders hailed Yunus’s lifelong commitment to fighting poverty and promoting justice. “We stand fully with you and the people of Bangladesh,” one participant said. Another added, “Whatever you need — expertise, resources, or advice — we’re prepared to help rebuild”.
They acknowledged progress made since the July Revolution but stressed the enormity of challenges left behind by years of corruption and misgovernance.
Several pledged to assist Bangladesh in recovery efforts and in preparing for free and fair elections next February.
Kerry Kennedy praised recent advancements in human rights during her remarks. Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute, announced that the institute would soon formally declare its support for Bangladesh’s July Revolution. NGIC co-chair Ismail Serageldin assured Yunus: “If you need us, we’re here.”
Visibly moved, Yunus thanked the leaders for their solidarity. “This outpouring of support is beyond anything I expected,” he said. Comparing Bangladesh’s recent struggles to a massive natural disaster, he noted, “The country has lived through a 15-year earthquake of magnitude nine.”
He stressed the difficulty of managing public expectations, especially from the youth who demand rapid change. “They want a new Bangladesh, and we cannot let them down,” Yunus said.
Calling on the international community to back Bangladesh’s upcoming election process, he added: “Your moral strength and guidance are crucial for us.” Lamiya Morshed, coordinator for the government’s SDG, was also present at the meeting.
