Foreign Affairs Committee Proposes Education Diplomacy Service

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has proposed introducing an “education diplomacy” service at Bangladesh missions abroad and establishing a dedicated emergency hotline for women migrant workers.

The proposals were made at the committee’s first meeting, chaired by Joharat Adib Chowdhury.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam agreed with the proposals, according to a press release issued after the meeting.

The committee also decided to hold a detailed discussion at its next meeting on measures the Foreign Ministry can take to prevent irregular migration to the United Arab Emirates and other countries.

The meeting reviewed the ministry’s organisational structure, mandate and ongoing activities. Members were also briefed on the ministry’s achievements over the past six months and its action plan for the next 180 days.

Committee members made several recommendations aimed at making the ministry’s activities more effective, coordinated and results-oriented.

The committee also decided to adopt a unanimous resolution congratulating Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on his election as president of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting highlighted Bangladesh’s recent foreign policy engagements, including Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visits to Malaysia and China, as signs of growing international confidence in the government.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman attended the meeting as a special invitee because he is not a member of Parliament.

State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, Md Amanullah Aman, Humam Kader Chowdhury, SK Azizul Bari, Saeed Al Noman, ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Sanjida Islam, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Atikur Rahman Mojahid, among others, attended the meeting.

Newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kabir was also invited but could not attend as he was on a previously scheduled foreign visit.

The foreign secretary and senior officials from the Foreign Ministry and Parliament Secretariat were also present.