Bangladesh to hold most transparent election, Yunus tells global leaders

Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to conducting one of the most transparent and credible elections in its history, scheduled for early February. Speaking on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, Yunus expressed hope that international observers would be present to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

During his visit, Yunus held a series of high-level meetings with prominent global leaders, including the Prime Minister of Australia, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, the former president of Chile, and the current Foreign Minister of Uruguay.

Chief Adviser Yunus briefly exchanged greetings with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese following their attendance at the UNGA’s inaugural session, according to his press secretary, Shafiqul Alam. Their discussions touched on key topics such as reforms undertaken by the interim government, the upcoming general election in Bangladesh, and the growing Bangladeshi diaspora in Australia.

Prime Minister Albanese praised the contributions of the Bangladeshi community, particularly in his constituency, and recalled attending a commemoration of Language Martyrs’ Day on February 21 in previous years.

Yunus also met Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, who serves as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development. Their discussion focused on expanding access to health insurance globally, particularly in the Global South. They explored innovations in life and health insurance, long-term savings, and pension schemes, emphasizing the critical role of financial inclusion.

Highlighting maternal healthcare, Yunus proposed digital health check-ups to connect rural women with leading medical professionals, potentially saving countless lives. He also called for a restructuring of the global pharmaceutical industry, urging more drug manufacturers to operate as social business enterprises to ensure affordable vaccines.

The meeting included Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange, and concluded with Yunus inviting Queen Máxima to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Yunus also met Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, to discuss shared priorities and recent global health developments. Later, he participated in two high-profile events, focusing on “Fashion for Development” and collaborations between the public and private sectors in social innovation.