Interim Govt Striving for Unity, Peace, and Justice: WCC Chief

Dhaka, April 13, 2025 – General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Dr Jerry Pillay, on Sunday expressed strong support for Bangladesh’s interim government, commending its commitment to unity, peace, and a just society.

“We are here to express our support and solidarity with your leadership,” Dr Pillay told Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus during a meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna. “Like you, we believe in unity, peace, and a just society—and we see your government striving sincerely to achieve that.”

Dr Pillay, who is based in Geneva, reaffirmed the WCC’s full support for the interim administration’s efforts to promote justice, interfaith harmony, and inclusive governance.

Prof Yunus welcomed the WCC delegation and thanked them for their visit and continued support. “We are doing our best—there are always ups and downs, but we are determined,” he said. “We will need your support in the days ahead, and I hope you visit us again soon.”

The World Council of Churches is a global fellowship of 352 churches representing over 500 million Christians. It has long advocated for interfaith collaboration and social justice worldwide.

Dr Pillay also expressed alignment with Prof Yunus’s vision of a “Three Zero World”—zero wealth concentration, zero unemployment, and zero carbon emissions. “At the WCC, we actively promote the same principles. This is a natural alignment, and we’re glad to walk alongside you on this path,” he said.

He further praised Bangladesh’s leadership in climate adaptation, noting the recent establishment of a climate centre in Gazipur by the WCC’s Bangladesh chapter. “Bangladesh has some of the most innovative, world-class engineers working to combat climate challenges,” he remarked.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hasan also attended the meeting. Dr Pillay was accompanied by Dinesh Suna, Programme Executive at the WCC; Bishop Philip Adhikary, President of the Federation of Protestant Churches of Bangladesh (FPCB); Wing Commander (Retd.) Christopher Adhikary, President of the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh (NCCB); and Reverend Dipok Das, General Secretary of the NCCB.