Bangladesh CA Yunus to visit UK this evening

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will leave Dhaka on Monday (June 9) evening for a four-day official visit to the United Kingdom, during which he will meet King Charles III, hold talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and receive an international peace award.

Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique confirmed that Prof Yunus will be in London from 10 to 13 June, engaging in several high-level meetings with British and international leaders.

A highlight of the visit will be the presentation of the "Harmony Award 2025" by King Charles III at a ceremony at St James’s Palace on 12 June, in recognition of Prof Yunus’s lifelong contributions to peace, sustainability, and fostering harmony between communities and the environment.

The award was last presented in 2024 to former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

During his stay, the Nobel Laureate and microfinance pioneer is also expected to hold bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and senior political, business, and policy figures.

The discussions will cover a range of global and regional issues, including climate change, sustainable development, the Rohingya refugee crisis, and migration.

Prof Yunus will also hold courtesy meetings with the Secretaries-General of the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), underscoring Bangladesh’s commitment to international cooperation.

As part of his public diplomacy efforts, the Chief Adviser will deliver a keynote speech at Chatham House on 11 June, where he will reflect on Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress, democratic transition, and strategic vision for the future.

Additionally, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has confirmed that Prof Yunus will raise the issue of illicit financial outflows, with a focus on tracing and recovering billions allegedly laundered abroad during the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government.

Government estimates suggest that up to $16 billion was siphoned out of the country annually under the former administration.

The Chief Adviser has already sought cooperation from the British government, via its High Commission in Dhaka, to help trace and recover funds suspected to have been transferred to the UK.