Dr. Yunus Hailed as "Beacon of Stability" at Davos: Shafiqul Alam

"One thing was clear: the pivotal decision made by students after the fall of Hasina was to convince Prof. Yunus to lead the interim government, and that decision has proven transformative," Alam said.

As most world leaders returned home by Friday afternoon, Davos grew quieter. However, Bangladesh's delegation wrapped up its mission on a high note. Alam noted that Prof. Yunus and his small team left Davos "with their heads held high," having completed an impressive series of engagements.

During his time in Davos, Prof. Yunus held 47 meetings with heads of state, CEOs, and dignitaries. European leaders strongly endorsed the interim government and its reform agenda, signaling support for efforts to restore democracy in Bangladesh. In addition, major private companies are now more convinced than ever of the country's potential and its stability in the aftermath of the revolution. Alam emphasized that the latest economic indicators were particularly well-received by the global business community.

Top journalists from leading international outlets also lined up to interview Prof. Yunus, a testament to his influence. Alam remarked, "Despite the ongoing propaganda campaign by Indian media, world leaders and journalists are well aware of the tactics being used by the Indian press to serve political interests."

He also noted the impact of the "Tulip Siddiq saga" in the UK, which added to the narrative of corruption under Sheikh Hasina’s regime. "The Western press is now fully aware of the scale of plunder and corruption that occurred during Hasina's dictatorship," Alam said.

In his discussions, Prof. Yunus also addressed issues of data manipulation, criticizing the international community for turning a blind eye to the authoritarian practices of the previous government.

The Chief Adviser’s visit to Davos included key meetings with four heads of state, four ministerial dignitaries, and ten high-level executives from UN organizations. He also participated in 10 meetings with CEOs, attended nine WEF-hosted programs, and joined several formal dinners and luncheons. Additionally, Prof. Yunus engaged in eight media interactions and participated in two other significant events.

Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, saw Prof. Yunus off at Zurich International Airport on Friday night. Yunus was accompanied by his Special Envoy on International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi; Senior Secretary and Principal Coordinator on SDGs Affairs, Lamiya Morshed; Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam; and Secretary M. Riaz Hamidullah.

The WEF's annual meeting gathered global leaders to address pressing issues such as geopolitical tensions, economic growth, and inclusive energy transitions. This year’s theme, "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," focused on five interconnected priorities and attracted 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including 60 heads of state.