Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sought Dutch assistance to establish cold storage facilities in rural Bangladesh. During a meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, he highlighted that such facilities would reduce post-harvest losses and enable better marketing of agricultural produce.
“Every year, thousands of tons of fruits and vegetables are wasted due to lack of storage, causing huge losses for farmers,” Yunus said, urging for Dutch technology and expertise in agriculture.
PM Schoof responded positively, saying the proposals would be reviewed, while also expressing interest in cooperation in the textile sector. The two leaders also discussed elections, past authoritarian rule, and bilateral issues.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Israel would not be permitted to annex the Palestinian West Bank, while suggesting that a settlement over Gaza could be reached soon.
Speaking at the White House on Thursday, ahead of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s scheduled UN address, Trump said: “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank… it simply won’t happen.”
His remarks come as several Western nations formally recognize Palestine as an independent state. The UN Secretary-General warned that annexation would be “morally, legally, and politically unacceptable.” Meanwhile, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed willingness to work with world leaders on France’s proposed peace plan.

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus emphasized that no country can achieve youth empowerment alone. Speaking at the commemorative meeting, Yunus stated that without global cooperation, it is impossible to remove obstacles, ensure justice, or cultivate intergenerational leadership.

“I believe young people will make the right decisions—for themselves, the world, and the future,” Yunus said. Reflecting on Bangladesh, he added, “Last year, we witnessed the extraordinary strength of our youth. They courageously ended authoritarianism and guided the nation toward a new path, entrusting me with the responsibility of reform and democratic transformation.”

Yunus highlighted that while youth worldwide are a driving force for change, they remain the first to be affected by inequality, conflict, climate change, security issues, and digital divides. Unemployment among young people remains a critical challenge. Bangladesh has implemented the National Youth Entrepreneur Policy to provide financing, skill development, and market access, cultivating young people not just as job seekers but as job creators. Youth participation has been ensured in reform commissions, and national policy competitions have been launched.

Globally, Yunus affirmed support for initiatives including the Youth Action Plan, Pact for the Future, the UN Youth Strategy 2030, and the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has said India’s dissatisfaction with last year’s student-led uprising has strained bilateral ties.

Speaking to U.S. South and Central Asia envoy Sergio Gore, Yunus claimed Indian media spread “false propaganda” portraying the mass protests as an Islamist movement. “Many fake reports came from India, worsening the situation,” he added.

Yunus also noted: “India gave shelter to Sheikh Hasina, who is creating problems. This has further fueled tensions between the two countries. Because of India, SAARC remains stalled.”

He expressed interest in Bangladesh joining ASEAN as an alternative regional bloc.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid and former President of Slovenia, who invited him to join the global forum of democratic leaders.

Türk praised Yunus’s pioneering work in microfinance and highlighted its worldwide impact, expressing hope that Yunus would contribute to their initiatives. He said the July mass uprising in Bangladesh had astonished the world and emphasized the importance of understanding such democratic transformations globally.

Welcoming the invitation, Yunus voiced his readiness to share Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic reform experience. “We are still walking through the jungle, trying to figure out how to advance on the path to democratic transition. Our commitment to this path remains firm,” he said.

Italy and Spain have dispatched naval vessels to escort and safeguard the Samoud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy carrying aid to Gaza. The ships, now en route, will provide security for the flotilla and conduct rescue operations if necessary.

The move follows multiple drone strikes on the flotilla near the coasts of Tunisia and Greece, which left several aid vessels damaged. Human rights activists on board appealed for international protection, prompting Spain and Italy to step in.

The latest reports indicate the flotilla was advancing southwest of Crete. The Global Samoud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona with relief supplies for Gaza after its previous four missions were blocked by Israel. This fifth mission comprises nearly 50 vessels and includes activists from 44 countries, among them Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

On the sidelines of the 80th UN General Assembly, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus held bilateral meetings with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Earlier, he also met Spain’s King Felipe VI, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Additionally, Yunus had discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has briefed U.S. President Donald Trump on Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, scheduled for February.
Bangladesh’s Press Minister in Washington, Golam Mortuza, confirmed that President Trump inquired about the country’s political reforms and election process. Yunus extended an invitation to Trump to visit Dhaka.
During the engagements, Yunus also exchanged pleasantries with several world leaders attending events in Washington.

World Bank President Ajay Banga has met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, praising his leadership in guiding Bangladesh during one of its most critical moments.

Banga emphasized the urgent need for strong reforms in Bangladesh’s banking and revenue sectors to ensure sustainable, high-growth economic development.

Yunus sought World Bank assistance in recovering stolen funds and modernizing the Chattogram port, highlighting its potential to create millions of jobs and boost regional cooperation. “Chattogram port is the key to regional economic growth,” Yunus said, noting that landlocked Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states would benefit from its expansion.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that former U.S. President Donald Trump must stop the war in Gaza if he truly wants to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Speaking at a press conference, Macron declared that France is ready to respond if Israel imposes sanctions following Paris’s recognition of Palestine. However, he stressed that the priority now should be the path of peace and diplomacy.

“We cannot remain silent if the killing of civilians in Gaza continues,” Macron said, pointing to U.S. leverage over Israel due to its weapons supply. He emphasized that France’s diplomatic initiatives aim to pressure both Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government while reassuring Israelis that the ultimate goal is peace.

Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will brief the international community on Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections during his official visit to the United States. The elections are scheduled to take place in the first half of February next year.

On September 26, Professor Yunus is set to address the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he will highlight the interim government’s reform initiatives, economic recovery measures, and steps toward democratic transition over the past 14 months.

“The core message is that by February 15, fundamental elections will be held—free, fair, peaceful, acceptable, and celebratory,” said the Press Secretary. He added that world leaders have already pledged their support for the polls, assuring that people will vote freely, just as they did in the recent Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) and Jatiya University Central Students’ Union (JUCSU) elections.

He further stated that political parties are maintaining regular dialogue with the interim government and are not in conflict. Referring to the Awami League’s 15-year rule, he remarked: “People were killed, disappeared, and thousands of false cases were filed. Look at where the Awami League stands today—friendless and isolated.”

The ‘Global Sumud Flotilla,’ a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission, reported hearing explosions nearby and spotting Israeli drones overhead. The ships, which set sail from Tunisia, Greece, and other countries, are now traveling together southwest of Crete.
Organizers said their VHF radio communications were being jammed, accusing Israel of using drones to intimidate and mentally weaken the passengers. In a statement, they condemned Israel and its allies for “crossing all limits to prolong starvation and genocide against the people of Gaza.”

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus met with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, where discussions covered democracy, climate action, and the Rohingya humanitarian crisis.
Yunus said the upcoming February election will mark a new era for democracy in Bangladesh. He also highlighted Hidalgo’s role in making the Paris 2024 Olympics a major social business event, stressing that all future Olympics, particularly Los Angeles, must aim to be carbon-neutral.
Mayor Hidalgo praised Yunus’s leadership, saying: “You have done remarkable work, and I admire your leadership.” Both leaders called for urgent funding to support over one million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. Yunus also invited Mayor Hidalgo to visit Bangladesh.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Sheikh Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and head of the Council of Senior Scholars.
In his condolence message, Yunus said the Muslim world had lost “a great scholar and guiding voice of Islamic thought.” He praised Sheikh Abdul Aziz’s lifelong dedication to Islamic scholarship, which he said would remain unforgettable.
Sheikh Abdul Aziz began his higher studies in Shariah at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh in 1961 and earned a specialized degree in Arabic and Islamic Shariah in 1965.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus has been awarded the ‘Unlock Big Change Award’ at Theirworld’s Annual Global Education Dinner. The recognition celebrates his pioneering contributions to social and economic development and his lifelong commitment to education.
The event was jointly hosted by UN Special Envoy for Global Education and former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Theirworld Chair Sarah Brown. Alongside Dr. Yunus, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi was also honored.
In his remarks, Gordon Brown said, “In the last 50 years, no private sector initiative has done more to lift people out of poverty than Grameen Bank.”
Accepting the award, Dr. Yunus emphasized that access to food, healthcare, and education should be recognized as fundamental human rights, adding: “If the doors of finance are opened, poverty will disappear. I linked microcredit with education to ensure women could send their children to school. Children must learn entrepreneurship from an early age.”