Lord Mark Malloch-Brown, a distinguished British peer and former head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), met with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday at the State Guest House Jamuna. The discussions underscored support for Bangladesh's reform initiatives and highlighted global perspectives on the country's socio-economic challenges.
During the hour-long meeting, Lord Malloch-Brown, who also serves as an advisor to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, lauded Professor Yunus for taking on the leadership of the Interim Government during a transformative period in Bangladesh’s history. He emphasised his willingness to assist the government in its efforts to address key challenges and foster progress.
The talks spanned a range of critical issues, including the July-August mass uprising, the government's reform agenda, healthcare, social business, and combating disinformation campaigns targeting student-led movements.
Professor Yunus expressed gratitude for Lord Malloch-Brown's support, acknowledging that managing public expectations is a significant challenge for the Interim Government. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to reform, describing it as a central demand of the student-led uprising.
"Our government has set up 15 reform commissions to address institutional dysfunctions left by previous administrations. These reforms are foundational for holding a free and fair election," said the Chief Adviser.
Lord Malloch-Brown commended the reform-oriented agenda, affirming that it could set a precedent for stable governance in developing democracies.
The meeting was attended by notable figures, including development expert Dr. Martha Chen, BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh, and senior government official Lamiya Morshed.
