Dhaka: Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has described Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’s visit to Davos as a tour of historical achievement for Bangladesh, marking a significant engagement at the World Economic Forum (WEF). Professor Yunus participated in 47 events during the annual meeting in the Swiss city, renowned for its prestigious conferences.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shafiqul Alam elaborated on the importance of the visit during a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. Accompanied by Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretaries Apurba Jahangir and Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Alam emphasized the strategic interactions between governments and private sectors at the forum, highlighting the global prominence of the event.
The chief adviser’s itinerary included high-level meetings with several heads of state and government, alongside media engagements and side events. Notably, Professor Yunus held discussions with German Chancellor Wolfgang Schmidt, marking Germany as a pivotal partner given its status as Bangladesh’s second-largest export destination. The German Chancellor pledged comprehensive support to Bangladesh’s interim government and proposed a business delegation visit to explore new opportunities.
During his stay, Professor Yunus engaged in dialogues on critical issues including the Bangladesh economy, stolen asset recovery, reform agendas, elections, and broader global challenges. His meetings spanned four heads of government or state, various ministerial-level dignitaries, and executives from international organizations, reflecting the breadth of his engagements at WEF.
Key interactions included talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. Discussions also took place with prominent figures such as former US Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
In addition to formal meetings, Professor Yunus contributed to a plenary session on climate and nature and attended events hosted by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. His engagements underscored Bangladesh’s commitment to addressing pressing global issues and fostering international cooperation.
As the visit concluded, Professor Yunus continued to strengthen Bangladesh’s global partnerships, meeting with key figures like American investor Ray Dalio and World Trade Organisation Director General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, furthering Bangladesh’s diplomatic and economic interests on the world stage.