Bangladesh in the Commonwealth: A Strong and Enduring Partnership

Bangladesh's journey with the Commonwealth of Nations is a testament to shared values and a commitment to global progress. Our nation proudly became the 34th member on April 18, 1972, just after gaining independence in 1971. This made the Commonwealth the first international body Bangladesh joined, signifying its immediate embrace of multilateral cooperation.

Upholding Core Commonwealth Values

Bangladesh deeply values its association with the Commonwealth and actively upholds its core principles. These include a strong dedication to:

• Democracy
• Sustainable development
• Good governance
• The rule of law
• Human rights
• Gender equality
• Equal opportunity
• Freedom of expression

Our consistent engagement reflects this commitment.

A notable highlight in this shared pursuit was the 6th Annual Commonwealth Lecture in 2003, delivered by Nobel Peace Laureate and then-Chief Advisor, Hon'ble Muhammad Yunus, on the critical topic of "Halving Poverty by 2015."

Leadership and Active Participation in Commonwealth Bodies

Since its inception into the Commonwealth, Bangladesh has been a dynamic participant in high-level meetings and various ministerial groups and committees.

• Chair of CMAG: Bangladesh has notably served as the Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), a vital body that addresses serious or persistent violations of Commonwealth values.
• Chair of CMGG: Our nation has played a significant and continuous role as the Chair of the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG). Bangladesh assumed this leadership position on October 12, 2020, and has since chaired all subsequent CMGG meetings, guiding discussions on the Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute.
• Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Board of Governors: Bangladesh was elected to the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Board of Governors from the Asia-Europe region for the 2022-2024 term, contributing to the strategic direction of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
• Commonwealth Accreditation Committee: We also served on the Commonwealth Accreditation Committee for the 2022-2023 term, ensuring the integrity and standards of the organization.

Driving Global Initiatives: Bangladesh's Leadership

Bangladesh consistently champions key global issues within the Commonwealth framework, demonstrating proactive leadership.

• Climate Action: As a nation highly vulnerable to climate change, Bangladesh is a strong advocate for climate action. At the Samoa CHOGM 2024, Bangladesh hosted a prominent side event titled "Climate Vulnerability and Resilient Youth: Towards a Net Zero Future," promoting innovative, youth-led solutions to climate challenges.
• Ocean Sustainability: We are actively involved in several critical initiatives related to ocean health, including the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, Ocean and Climate Change, Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods, Sustainable Aquaculture, and Sustainable Blue Economy Action Groups.
• Digital and Business Connectivity: Bangladesh plays a leading role in the Digital and Regulatory Connectivity clusters of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda, facilitating the exchange of best practices in trade, investment, and domestic reform. Significantly, Bangladesh serves as the Commonwealth’s lead country for Business to Business (B2B) connectivity, advocating for a tech-driven, low-carbon business recovery model and a digital marketplace, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Green Investment Awards: Our commitment to sustainable development is further highlighted by successfully awarding the Commonwealth-Bangladesh Green Investment Award for 2021 and 2022.

Advocating for the Rohingya: A Commonwealth Priority

The urgent humanitarian crisis of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh remains a top priority. Bangladesh has successfully advocated for the inclusion of this critical issue in the communiqués of both the Samoa CHOGM 2024 and Rwanda CHOGM 2022. We continue to urge the Commonwealth to play a more active role in facilitating the safe, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the displaced Rohingyas currently sheltered in Bangladesh.

Recent Engagements and Collaborative Ventures

The Commonwealth-Bangladesh relationship is dynamic, marked by continuous dialogue and collaborative initiatives.

• Judicial Cooperation: From May 17–25, 2025, the Commonwealth Secretariat facilitated a study visit for the Hon'ble Chief Justice and Hon'ble Law Adviser of Bangladesh to South Africa, where they participated in the Dialogue, Justice, Reconciliation, and Reform Programme.
• Democratic Reform Support: A Commonwealth delegation led by Assistant Secretary-General Luis Gabriel Franceschi visited Bangladesh from November 16 to 21, 2024. The ASG commended the interim government's efforts toward democratic reform and assured continued support for ongoing initiatives, particularly those related to electoral processes and strengthening bilateral dialogue.
• Youth Empowerment Workshop: The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a two-day workshop in Dhaka on June 19–20, 2025, specifically designed to educate Bangladeshi youth on the Commonwealth Charter values and empower youth-led initiatives.
• Diplomatic Acclaim: On September 3, 2024, the Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana formally welcomed the Interim Government of Bangladesh, commending its diplomatic leadership and commitment to chairing the group overseeing the Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute.
• Literary and Youth Achievements: Bangladeshi talent continues to shine within the Commonwealth. In 2025, Faria Basher won the prestigious Commonwealth Short Story Prize for Asia. Murad Ansary received the top regional award for the Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work. These recent successes follow previous accolades, including Adib Khan (1995) and Tahmima Anam (2008), who both won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book.

The strong bond between the Commonwealth and Bangladesh is characterized by ongoing cooperation on critical regional and global challenges. Both parties remain dedicated to further strengthening this vital partnership in the years to come, working towards a more prosperous and equitable future.

Bangladesh and the IMO: A Legacy of Growing Maritime Leadership

From Early Engagement to Global Influence

Bangladesh has a long-standing commitment to international maritime affairs, deeply rooted in its identity as a riverine and maritime nation. Our journey with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) began with our membership in 1976. For decades, Bangladesh has actively participated in IMO deliberations, contributing to the development of global standards for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection. While our engagement has been consistent, recent years have marked a significant acceleration in our nation's influence and leadership within this vital UN specialized agency.

A Historic Breakthrough: IMO Council Membership (2024–2025)

A defining moment in Bangladesh's maritime diplomacy occurred in December 2023. After a highly competitive campaign led by the Bangladesh High Commission in London, Bangladesh achieved a historic win, securing 128 votes and earning a place as an elected member of the prestigious IMO Council under Category C for the 2024–2025 term. This marks the first time since 1976 that Bangladesh has held a seat on the IMO Council, a clear manifestation of the international maritime community's growing confidence in Bangladesh's policies and actions. This position empowers Bangladesh to play a direct role in the IMO's decision-making processes, advocating for the interests of developing maritime nations and contributing to critical global maritime regulations.

Shaping Global Discourse: Leadership at the IMO Assembly

Further solidifying our nation's rising stature, the Bangladesh High Commissioner and Permanent Representative (PR) to the IMO was unanimously elected as the First Vice-President of the 33rd IMO General Assembly. This unprecedented achievement for a Bangladeshi diplomat saw our PR presiding over the high-profile 174-member IMO Assembly, including during sensitive roll-call votes related to complex geopolitical issues. This role underscored Bangladesh's ability to provide effective leadership and facilitate crucial international dialogues.

Leading the Way in Sustainable Ship Recycling: The Hong Kong Convention

Bangladesh's commitment to a safe and environmentally sound maritime industry is perhaps best exemplified by its recent, pivotal role in the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (the Hong Kong Convention). As one of the world's largest ship recycling countries by capacity, Bangladesh's actions were critical for the Convention's entry into force.

Bangladesh ratified the Hong Kong Convention on June 26, 2023, alongside Liberia, triggering the Convention's entry into force 24 months later, on June 26, 2025. This was a monumental step, as Bangladesh's ratification fulfilled a crucial condition for the Convention to become legally binding globally. This demonstrates Bangladesh's dedication to transforming its ship recycling industry to meet international safety and environmental standards, moving towards a "cradle-to-grave" approach for ships.

Since ratification, Bangladesh has been actively engaged in aligning its national legislation and practices with the Convention's requirements. This includes:

• Developing Draft Amendments: In February 2025, Bangladesh presented draft amendments to its ship recycling and hazardous waste management legislation to align with the Hong Kong Convention.
• IMO's SENSREC Project: Bangladesh's efforts have been significantly supported by the IMO-implemented project on "Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh (SENSREC)," funded by the Government of Norway. This project has been instrumental in helping Bangladesh improve its ship recycling infrastructure and regulatory framework.
• Certified Yards: As of February 2025, Bangladesh's shipbreaking industry has developed seven certified yards under the Hong Kong Convention, with more undergoing refurbishment to meet the new international standards.

Addressing Future Challenges: Decarbonization and Green Shipping

Bangladesh is also at the forefront of tackling emerging challenges in the maritime sector, particularly concerning climate change. In May 2025, Bangladesh officially launched the development of a National Action Plan (NAP) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping. This initiative, supported by the IMO's GreenVoyage2050 Programme, aims to align Bangladesh's maritime sector with the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy. The NAP focuses on:

• Improving data collection and establishing emission baselines.
• Incentivizing cleaner fuels and retrofitting domestic fleets.
• Enhancing training for seafarers and port managers.
• Exploring opportunities for greener ship design and localized innovation.

Bangladesh's proactive stance in these critical areas underscores its unwavering commitment to a safe, secure, and environmentally sustainable global maritime industry.

Sustaining Momentum: IMO Council Re-election Bid

To continue its contributions to global maritime governance, Bangladesh has announced its candidacy for re-election to the IMO Council (Category C) for 2026–2027. With its proven leadership in ship recycling and climate action, Bangladesh seeks continued support to build a safer, greener, and more inclusive maritime future.