Staff Reporter:
Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikrom, yesterday sought cooperation from the US government to recover money allegedly laundered from Bangladesh during the 17-year authoritarian rule.
Hafiz made the request when a delegation, led by Winrock International President and CEO Maksoda Maqsodi, made a courtesy call on him at his office at the JS Bhaban yesterday.
The Speaker said Winrock International had continued its partnership with Bangladesh for more than four decades and played a positive role in addressing the country’s national priorities, including climate change and social protection.
Although Bangladesh contributes relatively little to global carbon emissions, it remains one of the country’s most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change caused by carbon dioxide emissions, he said.
Hafiz Uddin said rising sea levels increasingly threatened the livelihoods of people living in coastal areas, haor regions and riverbanks, making Bangladesh one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, said a press release of parliament secretariat.
He said non-governmental organisations, alongside the government, could play an important role in improving people’s living standards.
During the meeting, the delegation and the Speaker exchanged views on diversifying Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) industry, promoting environmentally friendly technologies in agricultural production and protecting the human rights of Bangladeshi migrant workers returning from the Middle East and other countries.
Representatives of Winrock International, Secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat and other senior officials concerned attended the meeting.
