10-day state celebration: Dhaka ready to welcome global leaders
Photo courtesy: UNB
Bangladesh is set to wear a festive look ahead of a 10-day special programme — marking 50 years of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman — set to begin on March 17 at Parade Ground.
President Abdul Hamid will attend the programmes on March 17, 22, and 26, while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on March 17, 19, 22, 24, and 26.
Heads of governments, or states, of different countries, will join the programmes as guests.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen shared details on preparation for the celebrations at a press conference held at Foreign Service Academy today.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present.
Bangladesh eyes stronger relations with the world by celebrating 50 years of independence in the presence of global leaders — both in person and virtually.
Dr Momen said President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will join the celebrations in person.
The Foreign Minister said President of China Xi Jinping will send a video message marking the celebrations and a counselor may come with the message.
Dr Momen said French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will send video messages.
President of Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will arrive for a two-day visit on March 17 and will attend the celebrations at Parade Ground in Dhaka.
Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Mahinda Rajapaksa will arrive in Dhaka on March 19 to join the celebrations, while the President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari will be here on March 22.
Bhutanese Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering will arrive in Dhaka on March 24, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive on March 26.
Modi will visit places outside Dhaka though the other three South Asian leaders will have engagements in Dhaka only.
The Indian Prime Minister will visit Bangabandhu Memorial in Tungipara to pay respect to the Father of the Nation.
Daily Star, UNB
