Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to pay a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from June 10-13 as the two countries are putting in efforts to refresh their bonds and work ever more closely together on economic, trade and investment fronts.
"This is a very important visit," acting foreign secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique told reporters at a media briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday afternoon.
He said the chief adviser is scheduled to leave Dhaka for London on Monday and will return home on June 14.
The chief adviser will meet King Charles and will hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during the planned visit in addition to his other engagements.
When asked whether there will be any meeting with BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman in London, the acting foreign secretary referred to the chief adviser’s scheduled programs and said he has no information regarding any such meeting with the BNP leader.
“The relationship between Bangladesh and the UK is very deep and diverse,” he said, adding that the visit will play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations.
King Charles III will present the prestigious "Harmony Award 2025" to Professor Muhammad Yunus.
Professor Yunus has been nominated by King Charles III for the King Charles Harmony Award 2025 in recognition of his lifelong efforts to promote peace, sustainability, and harmony between people and the environment.
The award will be conferred during a formal ceremony at St James’s Palace in London on June 12.
Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon received the award in 2024.
Professor Yunus is also expected to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with other senior ministers, political leaders, and influential figures from the policy and business communities.
The acting foreign secretary said the visit carries special significance for several reasons.
He noted that the UK is a strong democratic nation that values the promotion of democratic principles and good governance in developing countries.
Through this visit, he said, Bangladesh will have the opportunity to highlight its ongoing reform initiatives, democratic processes, and the interim government's commitment to good governance.
“And above all,” he added, “as a Nobel laureate and a globally respected figure, the chief adviser enjoys a unique and positive international reputation. His visit to the UK will further enhance and consolidate Bangladesh’s standing on the global stage.”
The agenda will also include discussions on global and regional issues such as climate change, sustainable development, the Rohingya crisis, and migration.
Particular emphasis will be placed on leveraging British expertise and resources to support Bangladesh’s national development goals.
During the visit, Professor Yunus is also expected to hold courtesy meetings with the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), reflecting Bangladesh’s broader international engagement.
As part of his public diplomacy efforts, the chief adviser will deliver a special address at Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, on June 11.
In his speech, he will share insights into Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress, democratic transition, and future outlook.
The recovery of laundered money and assets abroad is also expected to be a key issue during the visit.
Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, while briefing reporters at the Foreign Service Academy recently, said the chief adviser will raise the issue of recovering stolen money and assets during his trip to London.
According to the government, the previous regime enabled the laundering of an estimated $16 billion annually.
Earlier, the chief adviser sought the support of the British government—through its envoy in Dhaka—to track and recover money allegedly laundered to the UK by individuals linked to the Sheikh Hasina-led previous government.
