BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Seminar on "Commonwealth Advantage: Progress and Potential" on 08 August 2018 at BIISS auditorium in Dhaka. H. E. Mr Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was present in the seminar as the Chief Guest. H. E. Mr Shahriar Alam, MP, State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh was present in the seminar as the Special Guest H. E. Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary General was present as the Guest of Honour. Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman, Board of Governors, BLISS, chaired the session. Major General A K M Abdur Rahman, ndc, psc, Director General, BIISS delivered the address of welcome.

In the welcome address, Major General A K M Abdur Rahman, ndc, psc, Director General, BIISS noted that Commonwealth organisations are involved in diverse activities. from helping countries with trade negotiations to encouraging women's leadership, building the small business sector and supporting youth participation at all levels of society. The focus of Commonwealth includes but not limited to boosting trade, strengthening governance, regenerating the environment, creating prosperity and protecting human rights. It often works as the collective voice of the small states. Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman, Board of Governors, BUSS in his remarks mentioned that in the context of the partially successful MDGs and the subsequent 2030 Development Agenda, the organisation faces both opportunities and challenges to meaningfully contribute to the idea of inclusive and shared prosperity through shared responsibility and shared development.

Prominent academicians of different public and private universities, senior researchers from various renowned research institutes, officials from different ministries of Bangladesh Government, former ambassadors, renowned persons of different civil and military institutions and media participated in the open discussion and raised their valuable opinions, observations, questions and suggestions.