New US ambassador Brent Christensen arriving in Dhaka before election

Newly appointed United States ambassador Brent Christensen is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka ahead of the upcoming national election. He is expected to reach the capital on January 12 and will formally assume office after presenting his credentials to the President.

Sources said Christensen will have a busy schedule upon arrival and may hold meetings with various political parties in the lead-up to the election. His primary focus will be to strengthen diplomatic efforts in support of a transparent, impartial and inclusive election in Bangladesh. He is also expected to work on human rights issues, the Rohingya crisis and strengthening bilateral trade relations.

Ahead of his arrival, a three-member delegation from the US embassy met foreign secretary Asad Alam Siam at the foreign ministry on Tuesday, November 6, to discuss preparatory matters.

A senior US Foreign Service officer, Christensen previously served as political and economic counsellor at the US embassy in Dhaka from 2019 to 2021. Observers believe his prior experience and familiarity with Bangladesh’s political landscape will be an added advantage in his new role.