The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the
United Kingdom and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of
Bangladesh held the fifth UK-Bangladesh Strategic Dialogue on
Tuesday 12 September 2023 at the Foreign Service Academy in
Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Dialogue covered the full breadth of the Bangladesh-UK
relationship, including political and diplomatic relations,
economic, trade and development partnerships, and global,
regional and security issues.
The UK and Bangladesh welcomed the evolution of the bilateral
relationship into a modern economic, trade and security
partnership, which advances shared global and regional priorities
such as tackling climate change and the Rohingya refugee crisis.
The UK, as the second-largest cumulative investor in Bangladesh,
welcomed the second Bangladesh-UK Trade and Investment Dialogue
earlier this year, and the Aviation Trade and Investment
Partnership signed in May. The two sides agreed to work together
to increase mutual prosperity ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation
from Least Developed Country status. Bangladesh welcomed the UK’s
generous Developing Countries Trading Scheme and acknowledged its
role in integrating Bangladesh into the global economy, creating
stronger trade and investment opportunities.
The UK and Bangladesh agreed to establish a Joint Working Group
on migration and returns, and other equities in the justice and
home affairs space. Both countries also agreed to conclude the
Standard Operating Procedures governing the returns documentation
processes and timescales prior to the first session of this
Working Group by October.
In discussions on democracy and human rights, the UK encouraged
free, fair, participatory and peaceful elections so the people of
Bangladesh can exercise their democratic rights. The UK also
underlined the need to respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
The UK emphasised its commitment to the Indo-Pacific region, as
evidenced by membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive
Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and ASEAN Dialogue
Partner status, while Bangladesh highlighted its recently
published Indo-Pacific Outlook. The UK and Bangladesh agreed to
continue cooperation on global and regional security.
The two sides reflected on their strong defence cooperation, and
looked forward to the Defence Dialogue that will take place in
London next year.
The UK and Bangladesh discussed the negative economic impact of
Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. The UK was clear that Russia
should immediately cease attacks on Ukraine’s port and grain
infrastructure, which are driving up the price of essential goods
in Bangladesh and around the world. The UK stressed its
unwavering support for the Ukrainian government and people in the
face of this assault on their sovereignty and territorial
integrity.
The UK commended Bangladesh for continuing to accommodate over
one million Rohingya. The UK and Bangladesh noted that this
population placed a significant burden on Bangladesh,
particularly for communities living adjacent to camps. The UK
noted the need for improved livelihood provisions for the
Rohingya to ensure a more sustainable return to Rakhine State.
The UK announced a further £3m contribution to the Rohingya
response, taking its total contribution since 2017 to £368m. The
UK and Bangladesh reiterated their commitment to the goal of
safe, voluntary, and dignified returns to Myanmar as soon as the
situation allows.
Both countries expressed appreciation for the UK-Bangladesh
Climate Partnership, launched in January 2020, which facilitated
the exchange of expertise and whole-of-society engagement and the
UK-Bangladesh Climate Accord which was signed in March 2023. UK
and Bangladesh will cooperate closely in the run-up to COP28.
Both sides reiterated the urgent need for all countries to take
ambitious action to combat climate change.
FCDO Permanent Under-Secretary, , said
“I was delighted to attend the Fifth Bangladesh-UK Strategic
Dialogue with Foreign Secretary Ambassador Momen in Dhaka. The
Dialogue is a reflection of the growing relationship between our
two countries, and our desire to work together more closely on
our economic, trade and development partnerships and on regional
and global security issues.”
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Sarah Cooke, said
“I was pleased to welcome to Bangladesh. The UK’s
partnership with Bangladesh represents a unique, historic
relationship which contributes much to the prosperity and
security of both our countries.”
Notes to Editors
This was the fifth Strategic Dialogue between the United Kingdom
and Bangladesh. The first Strategic Dialogue was hosted by
Bangladesh in March 2017. The second Strategic Dialogue was
hosted by the UK in March 2018. The third Strategic Dialogue was
hosted by Bangladesh in April 2019. The fourth Strategic Dialogue
was hosted by the UK in September 2021.
