Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey concluded a high-profile official visit to Bangladesh, reaffirming the Commonwealth family’s firm commitment to supporting the nation's democratic processes and future development ahead of the national election scheduled for February 2026.
The Secretary-General emphasized that she is listening to a wide range of stakeholders to tailor continued support for the people of Bangladesh at this "important moment."
In Dhaka, Ms. Botchwey held extensive discussions with Dhaka-based High Commissioners, including Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh, and envoys from Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The meeting focused on strengthening support for Bangladesh in line with the Commonwealth Charter. She commented via her official social media platform that the discussions were "fruitful" on advancing the Commonwealth Charter values. The attendance of these envoys at the meeting was confirmed, according to BSS.
A central theme of the visit was the forthcoming general election. The Secretary-General met with Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, who provided an update on the preparations. "We discussed... how the Commonwealth can support the full participation of all Bangladeshis," she stated. Furthermore, Ms. Botchwey held separate meetings with representatives of major political parties, valuing their input on ensuring a peaceful, credible, and participatory election process, as outlined by the Commonwealth Charter.
Beyond the electoral process, the Secretary-General focused on governance and the rule of law. She met with Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed, appreciating his reflections on judicial independence and the judiciary's role in inclusive governance. Ms. Botchwey reassured the Chief Justice that the Commonwealth would continue to support Bangladesh in building judicial capacity and sharing best practices. Her visit also included an engagement with youth leaders, who shared their expectations for a democracy that works for all, prompting the Secretary-General to reaffirm that the Commonwealth would stand with the young people as they work to build a just and prosperous future.
Ms. Botchwey’s itinerary, which spanned from November 20-24, also included briefing stakeholders on the Commonwealth’s new Strategic Plan, which prioritizes democracy as a core pillar. She was scheduled to meet with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to discuss deepening cooperation on democracy, governance, stability, and national progress, following a recent mission by the Commonwealth pre-election assessment team. She concluded by describing Bangladesh as a valued partner since its independence, stressing: "Our shared commitment remains supporting a peaceful, inclusive and participatory environment where rights and freedoms are respected."
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