PM briefs media on UK, France visit

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is addressing a press conference to brief the media about her recent visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and France.

The press began at 4pm at her official Ganabhaban residence.

The premier paid an official visit to Glasgow, London and Paris during 31 October to 13 November to attend the World Leaders' Summit at COP26, Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021, prize giving ceremony of the UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Prize for the Creative Economy at UNESCO headquarters, 41st General Conference of UNESCO, Paris Peace Forum, 75th anniversary of the UNESCO and other high level events.

France agreed to provide Bangladesh with €330 million - €200 million pandemic-time budget support and the rest for a sustainable water supply project – on the second day of Sheikh Hasina's five-day state visit to the European country.

During her talks with top French leaders, Sheikh Hasina also requested France to take the Rohingya issue to the UN Security Council as the country is a permanent member of the council.

The prime minister was described as one of the "dealmakers who will influence the outcome at COP26" in a BBC report.

"The prime minister of Bangladesh speaks on behalf of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a grouping of 48 of the countries most threatened by climate change," the report read.

It described PM Sheikh Hasina as "an experienced and straight-talking politician, who will bring the lived experience of climate change to the COP."

"People like Prime Minister Hasina put a human face on climate change and can help world leaders understand what climate change already looks like," the BBC report quoted Dr Jen Allan, an expert in international relations from Cardiff University.

Sheikh Hasina returned home on 14 November morning after her two-week official visit to Glasgow, London and Paris.