The newly appointed Ambassador of the Netherlands, Boris van Bommel, paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.
According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, the meeting covered a wide range of topics of mutual interest, including strengthening bilateral relations, the upcoming general elections, trade and agriculture, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
Chief adviser briefed the ambassador on the interim government’s preparations to hold a general election in the first half of February, emphasizing measures to ensure that the polls are free, fair, and peaceful. Ambassador van Bommel reaffirmed the Netherlands’ support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition and noted that a European Union pre-election observation team is scheduled to arrive this week, with the Netherlands actively supporting the mission.
The discussion also focused on bilateral cooperation in water management. Professor Yunus highlighted Bangladesh’s experience benefiting from Dutch expertise in flood management and protecting low-lying coastal areas. “We have a lot in common. There is much we can build together and learn from one another’s experiences,” he said.
Ambassador van Bommel expressed interest in Bangladesh’s recent development achievements, including innovations in social business and microcredit. Chief adviser requested increased Dutch support to assist more than one million Rohingyas currently residing in Cox’s Bazar, citing a critical funding shortfall that threatens ongoing humanitarian efforts.
He also briefed the ambassador on a high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis scheduled for September 30 at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, expressing hope that the event would mobilize international support and secure essential funding for humanitarian operations in the camps.
Acknowledging the urgency of the crisis, Ambassador van Bommel noted that it deserves greater international attention, although global focus has been diverted by other ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator of the interim government, was present at the meeting.
