Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has welcomed the International Republican Institute (IRI) in Washington DC to observe the upcoming general elections as the think-tank showed interest.
“The IRI officials expressed their interest to observe the general elections which was cordially welcomed by the Foreign Minister,” the Bangladesh embassy in Washington said in a statement.
Dr Momen talked about Bangladesh’s political landscape, its electoral process and preparedness for a free, fair and participatory general elections during a meeting with the IRI officials. President of the Institute Daniel Twining moderated the event.
The foreign minister also delivered a keynote speech on emerging Bangladesh and its socioeconomic achievements at an event organised by South Asia Centre of Atlantic Council, a prominent think-tank of the USA, at George Washington University in Washington DC on Tuesday.
He also discussed economic partnership and prospects with the USA, and other issues related to economic diplomacy, regional development and navigating relations with major powers.
At the event, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh has been recognised as a role model of development in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and highlighted its success stories in different sectors.
The talk was followed by a question-answer session moderated by Professor Dr. Irfan Nuruddin, Senior Director of the South Asia Center of the Council.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran, Director General (North America) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Khandker Masudul Alam and officials of Bangladesh Embassy were present at the two events.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Dr Momen visited Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST) in Virginia founded by a Bangladeshi entrepreneur.
He delivered a speech as the chief guest at a discussion session organised by the university authorities. The Foreign Minister highly praised the authorities for establishing such a higher educational institution in the USA and wished its overall success.
President of the University Hasan Karaburk and Chancellor and founder Engineer Abubokor Hanip, among others, spoke at the event, while faculty members and students of the university and officials of Bangladesh Embassy were present on the occasion.