British Indo-Pacific minister arrives to strengthen ties

The UK's Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan arrived in Dhaka today to discuss security, democracy, human rights, trade and the Rohingya crisis, reports BSS.

"As Bangladesh continues its development trajectory, the visit aims to celebrate the success and solidify the close links between the two countries for the years ahead, including through Bangladesh's crucial election year," said the British high commission here in a press release.

Trevelyan will meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina and foreign minister AK Abdul Momen as well as hold talks with civil society organisations, humanitarian actors, climate experts and business groups.

The British minister will also sign the UK-Bangladesh Climate Accord which aims to enhance cooperation in climate action bilaterally and multilaterally, to help deliver the outcomes of COP26 and COP27.

"I'm delighted to visit Bangladesh, a country that has strong cultural, and economic ties with the UK," said Trevelyan as quoted by the press release.

"The UK has been proud to stand as a close partner of Bangladesh for more than 51 years. From trade and investment to defence, climate action, and humanitarian collaboration, our relationship is rooted in our shared principles," said the minister.

She added, "Through my visit, I look forward to strengthening our close and valued partnership even further."

On the occasion, British high commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson said this visit reaffirms the UK's commitment to Bangladesh and shared ambitions for the future of the two countries partnership.

"We will be working even more closely together on issues including trade and investment, climate, security, education and equality for women and girls, and the Rohingya crisis," he said.

Minister Trevelyan will also visit Cox's Bazar to see first-hand UK humanitarian support for Rohingya people in the camps.

During her visit, she set out how the UK is supplying food for 449,000 people living in the camps this month through the World Food Programme.

In addition, UK support will go to the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for pressure cookers that can help reduce the consumption of cooking gas.

The minister will also meet representatives of the Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) to hear what GCA is doing with UK support in Bangladesh.

GCA is working to help local communities take the lead in building their resilience to climate change impacts while it is also helping source more finance for climate adaptation projects