Shama Welcomes Humaiun’s Appointment, Reaffirms ‘Bangladesh First’

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Saturday said Bangladesh’s national interests and the interests of its people will remain the top priority in deciding whether the country joins any pact or multilateral organisation.

“Our foreign policy will be guided by ‘Bangladesh First’. Whether we join any pact or multilateral body will be decided primarily on whether Bangladesh’s interests and the interests of the Bangladeshi people are protected,” she told reporters in response to a question.

Some foreign media outlets have reported that Bangladesh is open to joining an economic or defence framework involving Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye.

Shama said Bangladesh would take any such decision independently based on its national interests, dismissing reports in Indian or Pakistani media as a basis for assessing government policy.

“If the Bangladesh government takes any such decision, you—the Bangladeshi media—will be the first to know. So why should what is appearing in the Pakistani or Indian media be our consideration?” she said.

The state minister claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has undertaken significantly more work during the six months since the February election than during any comparable period in the past 17 years.

She said three new wings have been opened at the ministry and that the government is working on migration-related issues, including efforts to prevent irregular migration.

She also highlighted the formation of several inter-ministerial focal-point groups involving the ministries responsible for expatriate welfare, culture, labour and commerce.

Shama said the foreign ministry would face an especially busy period as the foreign minister prepares to take on responsibilities related to the presidency of the UN General Assembly.

“Our foreign minister has won the UNGA presidency, and he will be extremely busy over the next year,” she said.

She added that the government would take necessary decisions to facilitate the ministry’s work and accelerate its activities.

Shama also welcomed the appointment of Humaiun Kobir as State Minister for Foreign Affairs, saying his previous experience as foreign affairs adviser and his work on foreign policy while in opposition would be valuable.

“We believe that if we work well as a team, if we can work together and in coordination, our multilateral activities at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will certainly move forward with greater importance and momentum,” she said.