Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen told 40 diplomats stationed at Bangladesh at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday (January 16) that we are committed to uphold our constitutional obligations. The first diplomatic briefing of the year was organized to exchange New Year greetings with the diplomatic community.
Law Minister Anisul Haque MP, LGRD Minister Tajul Islam MP, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam MP and Foreign Secretary Mr. Masood bin Momen were present.
Dr. Momen said that despite the pandemic, Bangladesh achieved 5.4 percent growth last year. He spoke briefly about the ongoing local government elections. This is the first time in the country that the UP chairmen has been elected from the third gender, said the foreign minister.
The law minister also spoke about ongoing initiatives to reform the labor sector through a specified period.
In his speech, the Law Minister elaborated on the modalities of formation of Election Commission and the current dialogue between the President and various political parties. He mentioned the government's involvement with the relevant UN offices in doing its best to work on the Digital Security Act (DSA).
After the briefing, the law minister told reporters that it was a private meeting. We talked about DSA and elections. You know these, nothing new. Asked about the diplomats' questions about the restructuring of the Election Commission, the law minister said it was more important what our people said than what they said or did not say.
Asked about the diplomats' concerns about the DSA, the law minister said, "I told them publicly what I told them." I have already said these things.
The LGRD Minister briefed the diplomats on the various steps and results of the ongoing local government elections. He mentioned that a large number of independent candidates have been elected in these elections.
Thanking the business partners of the country, the Minister of State for External Affairs spoke of the government's initiative to create an investment-friendly environment in the country.
According to the briefing, the diplomats have suggested that the next Election Commission be formed soon with the forthcoming 12th National Election in Bangladesh. They also wanted to know the legal explanation for the formation of the Election Commission. And diplomats wanted to know Bangladesh's position on the Digital Security Act (DSA), the upcoming national elections, and violence in local elections.