Chief Adviser to depart Dhaka for London on June 9

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will depart Dhaka for London on June 9 on a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) from June 10 to 13.

Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique said this during a curtain-raiser briefing at the foreign ministry on Wednesday afternoon.

During the visit, the Chief Adviser will be granted an audience with His Majesty King Charles III and hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. 

He 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.

In a significant recognition of his global contributions, professor Yunus has been nominated by King Charles III for the King Charles III Harmony Award 2025, honouring his lifelong work to promote peace, sustainability, and harmony between people and the environment.

The award will be conferred at a formal ceremony at St James’s Palace in London on June 12.

Describing the upcoming trip as “a significant milestone,” Siddique said the visit is expected to further consolidate the multifaceted and enduring ties between the two countries.

He indicated that the issue of recovering laundered money and illicit assets abroad may also be raised in meetings with UK officials, reflecting an evolving partnership on financial transparency and accountability.

The visit is also expected to underscore Bangladesh’s interest in securing broader access to the UK market under the GSP Plus scheme, boosting British investment, and fostering joint ventures in technology, innovation, and green growth.

The agenda will also include discussions on global and regional issues, particularly climate change, sustainable development, the Rohingya crisis, and migration. 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), highlighting Bangladesh’s broader international engagements.