Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has called on the United States to maintain its support for key projects amid an ongoing period of national reform and reconstruction.
In a meeting held on Tuesday at the State Guest House in Jamuna, US Chargé d'affaires Tracey Jacobson and Professor Yunus discussed several pressing issues, including the implications of the US decision to freeze USAID operations globally.
The talks covered a wide array of topics—from the interim government’s reform agenda and efforts to forge consensus among political parties to the continuing challenges posed by the Rohingya crisis and migration issues, as well as the overall law and order situation in the country.
Professor Yunus emphasized his recent initiative to establish a consensus commission aimed at fostering dialogue among political parties. “Once we have reached consensus over the reforms, the political parties will sign a July Charter to implement them,” he said.
Jacobson reiterated the US commitment to democratic processes, stressing that any forthcoming elections should be free, fair, and inclusive.
During the discussions, she also inquired about the recently launched Operation Devil's Hunt, an initiative by Bangladesh’s security forces. In response, Professor Yunus underscored his call for societal reconciliation and urged an end to cycles of retribution.
“We are all children of this country. There should be no place for retribution,” he added, noting that law enforcement agencies had been instructed to uphold human rights at all times.
While expressing gratitude for the continued US humanitarian assistance to approximately one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, Professor Yunus voiced concerns over the broader implications of freezing aid to other critical projects. He specifically highlighted the vital work of the ICDDR’B—a renowned health research institute credited with drastically reducing deaths from diarrhoea and cholera both in Bangladesh and abroad, including in Haiti.
“Whatever happens with USAID, Bangladesh needs US support during this crucial period of rebuilding, reforms, and reconstruction. This isn't the time to stop it,” Professor Yunus stressed.
The meeting underscores Bangladesh’s determination to advance its reform agenda and the essential role that international support, particularly from the United States, plays in addressing both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development challenges.
