Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, on Thursday assured Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus of his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations between Qatar and Bangladesh. He announced plans to designate one of his close aides to elevate the relationship to a new level. The Qatari Prime Minister, a prominent leader in the Middle East, also urged Bangladesh to send a technical team to Qatar to explore opportunities for cooperation across various sectors. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s office in Doha, where both leaders discussed issues of mutual interest.
Following the discussions, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters on the outcomes of the meeting. During their talks, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, who also serves as Qatar’s Foreign Minister, expressed full support for Professor Yunus’s leadership. He assured Bangladesh of all possible assistance in rebuilding the country and navigating its ongoing reform process.
“We count on your continued leadership,” Sheikh Mohammed told Professor Yunus, expressing confidence that Bangladesh would emerge stronger from its reform and rebuilding efforts in the years ahead.
Chief Adviser Professor Yunus sought Qatar’s comprehensive support—diplomatic, financial, and investment—to build a “New Bangladesh.” He emphasized the need to create opportunities and ensure a prosperous future for Bangladesh’s nearly 180 million people, particularly its youthful population.
“We need your support to build the country of the dreams of our youth,” Professor Yunus stated.
The discussion also touched upon the Rohingya crisis, with Professor Yunus calling for international support to ensure the dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. He thanked the Qatari Prime Minister for facilitating a high-level dialogue on the Rohingya issue during the Earthna Summit.
In response, the Qatari Prime Minister praised Bangladesh for hosting over a million Rohingya refugees and stressed the importance of mobilising greater global support to resolve the crisis sustainably. He reiterated Qatar’s continued backing for the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and its commitment to finding a long-term solution to the issue.
The two leaders also exchanged views on the situation in Gaza. Professor Yunus lamented the lack of global attention to the plight of Gazans, while the Qatari Prime Minister commended Bangladesh’s stance on the issue.
Professor Yunus also expressed gratitude to Al Jazeera, which he visited the previous day, for its dedicated coverage of the Gaza crisis despite significant challenges.
Additionally, the Bangladesh Chief Adviser sought Qatar’s support for female athletes in Bangladesh, including providing training and building sports infrastructure. He extended an invitation to the Qatari Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time, which Sheikh Mohammed gladly accepted.
The meeting was attended by senior Bangladeshi officials, including Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, among others.
This diplomatic engagement reflects both nations’ shared commitment to fostering stronger ties and addressing regional and global challenges collaboratively.