Ref: 2025/PR/5
10 April 2025, Dhaka
High Commissioner Shiuneen Rasheed, delivered a keynote address today at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) as part of the BIISS Country Lecture Series titled "From Malé to Dhaka: Strengthening Bangladesh–Maldives Bilateral Cooperation."
In her remarks, High Commissioner Shiuneen underscored the enduring and dynamic partnership between the Maldives and Bangladesh, rooted in historical ties, mutual respect, and shared aspirations for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
She highlighted the growing and increasingly multidimensional cooperation between the Maldives and Bangladesh, emphasising a multitude of interlinked sectors where collaboration continues to deepen and diversify, including trade, healthcare and defence and security partnerships. Notably, the High Commissioner emphasised the increasing economic engagement between the two nations, the steady growth in tourist arrivals from Bangladesh to the Maldives, and the vital contributions of Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Maldivian economy.
High Commissioner Shiuneen also stressed the importance of deepening collaboration in maritime security, disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and capacity-building. She proposed a forward-looking agenda that includes enhanced air connectivity, increased people-to-people exchanges, joint ventures in tourism and services, and expanded educational cooperation.
In reaffirming the Maldives’ commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, the High Commissioner praised Bangladesh’s role in regional stability and development, and acknowledged the two countries’ shared leadership in multilateral platforms such as the UN, SAARC, IORA, and the OIC.
The lecture was attended by senior government officials, diplomats, academics, and members of the strategic and policy community.
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