LONDON, June 10, 2025 — Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, touched down at London’s Heathrow Airport early Tuesday morning (local time), marking the beginning of a four-day diplomatic mission aimed at reinvigorating bilateral relations with the United Kingdom .
Yunus’s Emirates flight arrived shortly after 7:00 AM. A symbolic return to the UK, the visit underscores the importance of ties between Dhaka and London. Accompanied by a small contingent, the Nobel laureate will engage with a cross-section of British leadership, including King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer, in addition to members of the UK Foreign Office and business sector .
During a briefing last week, Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique described the visit as “very important,” noting its potential impact on economic cooperation, trade, and investment. Yunus is also scheduled for meetings with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and senior officials from the Commonwealth and the International Maritime Organization .
Harmony Award Conferral
A highlight of Yunus’s itinerary is the conferral of the “King Charles III Harmony Award 2025”. This prestigious honor, bestowed annually at St James’s Palace, recognizes global leaders contributing significantly to peace, sustainability, and social harmony . Previous recipients include former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2024).
Public Engagements and Diplomacy
In addition to high-level meetings, Yunus will address the Chatham House think tank on June 11. His talk is expected to center on Bangladesh’s democratic transition, socio-economic progress, and recovery efforts related to illicit funds recovered from abroad . Concurrently, discussions will cover climate action, migration, and the Rohingya humanitarian crisis .
Officials suggest this visit also aims to showcase Bangladesh’s reform agenda to British and international audiences, reinforcing the message that the interim government is pursuing transparency, governance improvements, and economic stability .
Asset Recovery on the Agenda
Yunus is expected to press the UK government on cooperation in identifying and recovering laundered assets allegedly linked to the previous Bangladeshi administration. Acting Foreign Secretary Siddique emphasized that this issue forms a core part of Mondy’s agenda, especially as part of wider anti-corruption efforts .
Broader Significance
Yunus’s visit occurs at a sensitive juncture in Bangladesh’s geopolitical landscape, marked by a leadership transition and intensified efforts to attract foreign investment. Analysts believe engaging the UK remains a strategic priority, essential for securing development funding and international support .
Itinerary Overview
Date Key Events
June 10 Arrival in London; airport reception
June 11 Keynote speech at Chatham House; meetings with UK Foreign Office and NGOs
June 12 Harmony Award ceremony at St James’s Palace; meetings with British leaders
June 13 Reports of potential meeting with Tulip Siddiq
June 13–14 Further policy meetings; departure
In summary, Professor Yunus’s four-day mission is strategically structured to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations with the United Kingdom, highlight Bangladesh’s reform agenda, and secure support for asset recovery and sustainable development initiatives.
The visit will conclude on June 14, following a packed schedule of high-level engagements and public diplomacy efforts aimed at positioning Bangladesh on the global stage.
Source: The Daily Star
