Wednesday, 01 October, 2025
Dozens of prominent global leaders met on Friday with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his hotel suite in the USA, offering their full support to him and his interim government.
They expressed readiness to provide expertise and guidance to Bangladesh during this critical period.
A delegation led by former President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), met Professor Yunus on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The high-profile group included former presidents and prime ministers from Europe and beyond: Borut Pahor (Slovenia), Boris Tadić (Serbia), Egils Levits (Latvia), Charles Michel (Belgium), George Papandreou (Greece), Rosen Plevneliev and Petar Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Ivo Josipović (Croatia), Mladen Ivanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (Mauritius).
Also present were a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, four former Presidents of the UN General Assembly, senior foreign ministers, Ismail Serageldin (former Vice President of the World Bank and NGIC co-chair), Kerry Kennedy (President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights), and senior representatives from the IAEA and Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
The leaders praised Professor Yunus’s lifelong commitment to eradicating poverty and advancing social justice. “We’re here to support you and the people of Bangladesh. We are fully behind you,” one attendee said.
They also recognised Bangladesh’s recent progress under Yunus’s leadership while acknowledging the serious challenges the country faces after 16 years of misrule, corruption, and exploitation. Several pledged their expertise to aid reconstruction and economic recovery.
“We’re ready to work with you. Whatever guidance or support you need — just let us know. There is so much to be done,” another leader said.
Kerry Kennedy commended Bangladesh’s strides in human rights, describing them as “extraordinary,” while Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, announced the institute’s forthcoming formal support for the July Revolution in Bangladesh. NGIC co-chair Ismail Serageldin added, “If you need us, we are here for you.”
Professor Yunus expressed deep gratitude, calling the show of solidarity “totally unexpected” and “truly touching.” He likened the challenges facing his administration to a natural disaster, saying, “This country has been through a 15-year-long earthquake, with a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale.”
He emphasised the challenge of managing public expectations. “People expect miracles overnight, despite our limited resources. But we must also fulfil the dreams of our youth — they are looking for a new Bangladesh,” he said.
The Chief Adviser also called on the international community to support Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections, scheduled for February next year. “Your advice, support, and moral strength will be invaluable,” he added.
SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.
Comments
Dozens of prominent global leaders met on Friday with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his hotel suite in the USA, offering their full support to him and his interim government.
They expressed readiness to provide expertise and guidance to Bangladesh during this critical period.
A delegation led by former President of Latvia Vaira Vike-Freiberga, co-chair of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), met Professor Yunus on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The high-profile group included former presidents and prime ministers from Europe and beyond: Borut Pahor (Slovenia), Boris Tadić (Serbia), Egils Levits (Latvia), Charles Michel (Belgium), George Papandreou (Greece), Rosen Plevneliev and Petar Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Ivo Josipović (Croatia), Mladen Ivanić (Bosnia and Herzegovina), and Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (Mauritius).
Also present were a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia, four former Presidents of the UN General Assembly, senior foreign ministers, Ismail Serageldin (former Vice President of the World Bank and NGIC co-chair), Kerry Kennedy (President, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights), and senior representatives from the IAEA and Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
The leaders praised Professor Yunus’s lifelong commitment to eradicating poverty and advancing social justice. “We’re here to support you and the people of Bangladesh. We are fully behind you,” one attendee said.
They also recognised Bangladesh’s recent progress under Yunus’s leadership while acknowledging the serious challenges the country faces after 16 years of misrule, corruption, and exploitation. Several pledged their expertise to aid reconstruction and economic recovery.
“We’re ready to work with you. Whatever guidance or support you need — just let us know. There is so much to be done,” another leader said.
Kerry Kennedy commended Bangladesh’s strides in human rights, describing them as “extraordinary,” while Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, announced the institute’s forthcoming formal support for the July Revolution in Bangladesh. NGIC co-chair Ismail Serageldin added, “If you need us, we are here for you.”
Professor Yunus expressed deep gratitude, calling the show of solidarity “totally unexpected” and “truly touching.” He likened the challenges facing his administration to a natural disaster, saying, “This country has been through a 15-year-long earthquake, with a magnitude of 9 on the Richter scale.”
He emphasised the challenge of managing public expectations. “People expect miracles overnight, despite our limited resources. But we must also fulfil the dreams of our youth — they are looking for a new Bangladesh,” he said.
The Chief Adviser also called on the international community to support Bangladesh’s upcoming general elections, scheduled for February next year. “Your advice, support, and moral strength will be invaluable,” he added.
SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.
Comments
