New Netherlands Ambassador Meets Bangladesh Chief Adviser to Discuss Bilateral Ties and Rohingya Crisis
Published: 2025-09-19 12:48:31 | Source: Tahirul Islam, Special Correspondent, Dhaka.
Dhaka – Boris van Bommel, the newly appointed Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday at the State Guest House, Jamuna.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, the upcoming national elections, cooperation in trade and agriculture, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
Professor Yunus briefed the ambassador on the government’s preparations for a free, fair, and peaceful national election scheduled for the first half of February. He highlighted measures being taken to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
Ambassador van Bommel reiterated the Netherlands’ support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. He noted that a pre-election observer team from the European Union would arrive in Bangladesh this week, with active support from the Netherlands.
Discussions also covered bilateral cooperation in water management and climate-resilient infrastructure. Professor Yunus recalled how Dutch technical assistance has benefited Bangladesh in flood management and coastal protection. He emphasized, “We share much in common. By exchanging experiences, we can learn from each other and build together.”
The ambassador praised Bangladesh’s recent developmental achievements, particularly in social business and innovative microfinance initiatives.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Professor Yunus highlighted a funding shortfall for supporting over one million Rohingya refugees currently residing in Cox’s Bazar and called for increased Dutch assistance. He informed the ambassador about a high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis to be held in New York on 30 September, hoping it would mobilize urgent funds for ongoing humanitarian operations.
Ambassador van Bommel acknowledged the importance of the Rohingya issue and stressed that it deserves greater international attention, though ongoing global geopolitical crises have somewhat overshadowed it.
Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed also attended the meeting.
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The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, the upcoming national elections, cooperation in trade and agriculture, and the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
Professor Yunus briefed the ambassador on the government’s preparations for a free, fair, and peaceful national election scheduled for the first half of February. He highlighted measures being taken to ensure transparency in the electoral process.
Ambassador van Bommel reiterated the Netherlands’ support for Bangladesh’s democratic transition. He noted that a pre-election observer team from the European Union would arrive in Bangladesh this week, with active support from the Netherlands.
Discussions also covered bilateral cooperation in water management and climate-resilient infrastructure. Professor Yunus recalled how Dutch technical assistance has benefited Bangladesh in flood management and coastal protection. He emphasized, “We share much in common. By exchanging experiences, we can learn from each other and build together.”
The ambassador praised Bangladesh’s recent developmental achievements, particularly in social business and innovative microfinance initiatives.
Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Professor Yunus highlighted a funding shortfall for supporting over one million Rohingya refugees currently residing in Cox’s Bazar and called for increased Dutch assistance. He informed the ambassador about a high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis to be held in New York on 30 September, hoping it would mobilize urgent funds for ongoing humanitarian operations.
Ambassador van Bommel acknowledged the importance of the Rohingya issue and stressed that it deserves greater international attention, though ongoing global geopolitical crises have somewhat overshadowed it.
Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed also attended the meeting.