Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus arrived in London on Tuesday for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening Bangladesh-UK bilateral relations, with particular focus on enhancing economic cooperation, trade, and investment opportunities.
The chief adviser and his delegation arrived at Heathrow Airport at 7:05am local time via Emirates Airlines, as confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. The delegation was received by Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Abida Islam.
Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique described this as “a very important visit,” noting that Professor Yunus is scheduled to meet King Charles III and hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The visit will also include meetings with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and other senior ministers, political leaders, and prominent figures from Britain’s policy and business communities.
A highlight of the visit will be the formal conferment of the prestigious Harmony Award 2025 to Muhammad Yunus by King Charles III at St James’s Palace on June 12, recognising his lifelong contributions to promoting peace, sustainability, and harmony.
The agenda includes wide-ranging discussions on global and regional issues, particularly climate change, sustainable development, the Rohingya crisis, and migration. Professor Yunus will also meet with the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization to reinforce Bangladesh’s international engagements.
As part of his public diplomacy initiatives, the Chief Adviser will deliver a keynote address at Chatham House on June 11, where he will share insights into Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress and democratic transition.
The visit will also focus on recovering laundered money and overseas assets, with Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur indicating that Professor Yunus plans to raise this issue during his London engagements. The government estimates that approximately $16 billion was illicitly transferred abroad annually during the previous administration.
Professor Yunus has already sought cooperation from the British government through its High Commissioner in Dhaka to trace and recover funds allegedly laundered to the UK by individuals associated with the former government.