Elon Musk, the head of the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is considered one of the most influential personalities in the world. It is a privilege for any head of government to have an audience with him. Getting his schedule is a matter of fortune.
However, it was Elon Musk who recently made a phone call to Prof Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the government of Bangladesh. They talked in a cordial atmosphere. During the call, Prof Yunus invited Elon Musk to visit Bangladesh. This small example tells the story of Bangladesh's changed diplomacy -- the story of a changed Bangladesh abroad.
Nobel laureate Prof Yunus took charge of office less than seven months ago. Under his prudent leadership, Bangladesh has not only made a turnaround but also taken a new position of dignity in the world.
Once, the head of state or government in Bangladesh tried to lobby the global community to get an invitation. In the past, when attending events abroad, they would often be treated as Prof Yunus takes Bangladesh to new global heights insignificant and given little or no importance.
The officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would desperately try for a bilateral meeting or a meeting on the sidelines, but even then, they would not achieve any major success. Instead, if they happened to meet someone on the way or get invited to a tea party, they would take a picture and publicize it widely. They would try to gain political mileage from this. It had been a familiar situation for a long time.
However, Prof Yunus has changed that situation in just six months. Since taking office, he has become the center of attraction for all heads of state and world leaders due to his personality, his influence in the world, and his reputation. Similarly, Prof Yunus has taken Bangladesh to new heights.
Now, Bangladeshi diplomats do not have to negotiate or request for an interview with the head of government. Rather, various countries have requested that Prof Yunus briefly interview Bangladesh. Not only that, the world is now listening to Bangladesh. Bangladesh is now the center of world interest.
One can look into his participation in the World Governments Summit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Prof Yunus took part in the conference for two days. During the two-day conference, many foreign delegates met Prof Yunus who took the dignity of Bangladesh to new heights. He addressed a plenary session conducted by renowned CNN journalist Becky Anderson.
In September last year, the chief adviser took part in the United Nations General Assembly session in New York breaking with the tradition. The Chief Adviser’s Office allowed a small team for the trip.
Once, the head of government took a large entourage, wasting public funds. Such practices are the ultimate waste of money from the national exchequer. However, Prof Yunus has enlightened people during his short trip. Starting with US President Joe Biden, he spoke about Bangladesh with leaders of various important countries and heads of various international organisations.
He sought cooperation to build a new Bangladesh and presented the new Bangladesh in a different light and in a different context. In November last year, Prof Yunus attended the UN Climate Change Conference in Azerbaijan.
It is known that Bangladesh is one of the countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. And during this visit, there was a wide discussion on Prof Yunus’s ‘Three Zeros’ theory. He was the centrepiece of the conference. In the past, no head of government was at the centre of discussion at an international conference like this.
The biggest thing is that Prof Yunus showed the world the way by attending this conference. In the past, Bangladesh would only seek help and money in such conferences, but now Bangladesh is showing the way.
Prof Yunus went to Egypt to attend the D-8 conference held on 18-20 December where he was also the centrepiece. Not only at the conference but also in Egypt, evidence of the strong interest and enthusiasm of the young society for Prof Yunus could be found. There he delivered a wonderful speech at Al-Azhar University, which greatly inspired the youth.
At the D-8 conference, Prof Yunus highlighted the current reality of Bangladesh. Earlier this year, he went to Davos, Switzerland and participated in the World Economic Forum. There, he called on various world leaders and heads of international organisations to form an international partnership for the reconstruction and rebuilding of Bangladesh.
And at this conference, Prof Yunus’s presence and his position on various issues took Bangladesh to a new level. And recently, during a short visit to the UAE, he also spread light. There are a few things to note here. Other heads of government used to go abroad to enhance their personal image. Many foreign delegates try to gain support of influential countries to stay in power. But Prof Yunus is a rare exception in this case. He is going to enhance Bangladesh’s prestige.
Prof Yunus’s assumption of responsibility as the chief executive of Bangladesh is taking the country to a position of prestige. As a result, not only his own image is but the image of Bangladesh is being enhanced. That is why Bangladesh has achieved a great deal of progress in the diplomatic field in the last six months.
Not only through diplomacy abroad but also through diplomatic activities within the country, Bangladesh can be taken to a position of prestige and the needs of Bangladesh can be reached to the development partners.
After taking office, Prof Yunus called upon all the heads of missions of the European Union countries that do not have offices in Bangladesh and work from Delhi to come to Dhaka. This is only possible for a figure like him.
Not only that, during this period, he spoke over the telephone with various heads of state and government, and invited ambassadors of various countries t to his office. They talked about various issues in Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus also had a unique contribution to publishing the report of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on human rights violations in Bangladesh recently. Because it is really a great thing for an organisation like the UN to report on the violence of the student-public movement of July-August in such a short time and in such clear language.
This report has given international recognition to the July genocide. It has been possible to prove the brutal steps that the former government took to remain in power in Bangladesh as an internationally established fact outside of political discussions. All debates about the July genocide have come to an end.
After such misdeeds, many trigger political debates and try to prove it as a controversial issue. But when the UNCHR recognises genocide, there can be no debate about it. This was possible for Prof Yunus.
Prof Yunus is already known as a famous person in the world. So he has nothing to show off. He is using his lifelong achievements, his lifelong reputation and his lifelong acquaintance for Bangladesh, for the welfare of the people of Bangladesh. After the 5 August uprising, Bangladesh is moving forward through a new management.
At this time, the support and sympathy of the international community is very important. Bangladesh is going through various economic slowdowns. At this time, foreign aid and cooperation are especially needed for Bangladesh. And that is why Prof Yunus’s diplomacy is to introduce Bangladesh to the world in a new way.
In the last six months, he has launched diplomacy of dignity and companionship instead of hunger, poverty, aid and cooperation and dependency -- the diplomacy that has illuminated Bangladesh with a new identity on the world map.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
