The new Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh, Boris van Bommel, paid a courtesy call on Principal Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus on Thursday (September 18). The meeting held at the State Guest House Jamuna discussed important issues including strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, the upcoming national elections, trade and agriculture, water management and the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

Professor Yunus informed the ambassador that preparations are underway to hold the national elections in the first half of February next year. He stressed that the interim government has already taken various steps to make the elections free, fair and peaceful.

Ambassador Bommel reiterated his support for the democratic process in Bangladesh and said that a European Union pre-election observation team is coming to Bangladesh this week, which the Netherlands is actively supporting.

Water management was also discussed as part of bilateral cooperation. Professor Yunus recalled that Bangladesh has benefited significantly from Dutch experience in flood control and coastal lowland protection.

Ambassador Bommel expressed interest in social business, microfinance and recent development progress. Yunus also appealed for increased Dutch support for the more than one million Rohingya refugees living in Cox's Bazar. He warned that ongoing humanitarian operations are at risk due to the financial crisis. A high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis will be held at the UN General Assembly on September 30.

Ambassador Bommel acknowledged the importance of the Rohingya issue and said that it demands more attention in the international arena. However, global attention is somewhat divided due to other ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

The meeting was also attended by Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator for SDGs, Lamia Morshed.