DHAKA – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will advance Bangladesh’s national interests, economic potential and development opportunities globally under the government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said today.

“This year’s session is an extremely important one for Bangladesh. It marks a new journey, a new possibility and a new aspiration,” she said. She was addressing a discussion titled “Upcoming UNGA and Branding of Bangladesh” as the chief guest at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.

The Centre for Non-Resident Bangladeshi (Centre for NRB), a non-profit research organisation for expatriate Bangladeshis, organised the event. Shama said the prime minister would attend the UNGA for the first time since the establishment of the new democratic government.

Guided by the government’s “Bangladesh First” foreign policy, Tarique Rahman would present Bangladesh to the international community as a democratic, confident, responsible and promising nation, she added.

The high-level segment of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to begin in New York on September 21. It will address poverty eradication, climate change, pandemic prevention, nuclear disarmament and the 40th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, among other pressing global issues. Shama said the session carries added significance as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman will preside over the General Assembly.

Terming his election a matter of national pride, she said Bangladesh secured the presidency despite Cyprus having campaigned for the position for nearly a decade.
She credited the diplomatic success to the coordinated efforts of the Foreign Ministry and Bangladesh’s 83 missions abroad, alongside the country’s return to democratic governance and stability.

The state minister said Bangladesh already enjoys considerable respect at the United Nations because of the courage, resilience and sacrifices of its peacekeepers, including women serving in some of the world’s most dangerous missions.

Turning to economic diplomacy, Shama said the government was working to restore transparency and accountability in the banking sector and create an investment-friendly environment for foreign investors and non-resident Bangladeshis.

She said the government had introduced the “Bangladesh Invest” framework to offer investors one-stop services and was expanding digital facilities for company registration and other investment-related procedures. Work is also underway on the “One Citizen, One Card” initiative to consolidate citizens’ information in a single database, she added.

Shama said the government plans to issue 200,000 “Probashi Cards” by 2027 under an initiative of the prime minister to facilitate services for expatriate Bangladeshis. She called upon non-resident Bangladeshis to use their networks to promote the country’s investment opportunities, heritage, tourism, creative industries and exportable products internationally. The state minister said irregular migration and the activities of human trafficking syndicates were damaging Bangladesh’s image abroad.

“For the first time in the history of the Foreign Ministry, we have opened a separate Migration Wing,” she said, adding that it would address irregular migration, expatriates’ difficulties and other migration-related challenges.

She said the foreign and expatriates’ welfare ministries were working jointly with the International Organization for Migration to curb irregular migration and encourage the overseas employment of skilled workers through legal channels. The government has identified districts with higher levels of attempted irregular migration and begun awareness activities at the village, union, upazila and district levels, she said. Shama said the Cabinet had recently approved changes to Bangladesh’s visa policy to simplify business, tourism, work and visa-on-arrival procedures.

“The objective is to make Bangladesh more welcoming and investment-friendly,” she said, adding that reforms were also underway in airport services and tourism.

She stressed the need to diversify Bangladesh’s energy sources and reduce dependence on any single market, saying the government was exploring energy cooperation with African countries alongside additional sources of liquefied natural gas. The government is also promoting solar power, waste-to-energy projects and blue-economy opportunities, she added.

Shama said the Prime Minister’s Office had already been brought under 100-percent solar power, while efforts were underway to expand renewable energy use across government establishments.

Highlighting export diversification, she said the government had placed special emphasis on the creative economy, particularly women-led enterprises, traditional arts, muslin, cottage industries and cultural heritage.

She described jute as an ideal biodegradable alternative to plastic and said Bangladesh would seek to promote jute and jute products during the UN General Assembly. A stall is also planned at the upcoming climate conference in Trkiye to showcase jute as a sustainable natural fibre, she added. On the Rohingya crisis, Shama said a dedicated session would be held during the UN General Assembly with the participation of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. She said the crisis had become increasingly complex because of the involvement of the Myanmar authorities, the Arakan Army, regional actors and competing international interests.

“Without international pressure, resolving this problem will become very difficult,” she said, urging Bangladeshis abroad and civil-society representatives to help mobilise international support for a sustainable solution. The state minister said Bangladesh should no longer be portrayed internationally merely through floods, disasters or the repatriation of undocumented migrants.

“Bangladesh has opportunities in tourism, business and investment, and it has the potential to be presented properly on the world map,” she said.

Shama said the government was committed to genuine reforms but cautioned that meaningful change would take time and require cooperation from citizens, businesses, civil society and Bangladeshis living overseas.

“We are trying to brand Bangladesh in the right way. The government alone cannot do everything; all of us must work together,” she said.

Centre for NRB Chairperson M S Shekil Chowdhury said the organisation arranged the programme as part of its annual World Conference Series to showcase Bangladesh’s positive developments to the international community. He said the series also seeks to deepen Bangladesh’s global engagement and encourage expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in the country and remit their earnings through legal channels.

WASHINGTON DC— A federal judge has tightened restrictions on the Trump administration’s plans to build a 250-foot triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, ordering the administration to provide at least 48 hours’ notice before carrying out activity at the proposed site.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued the order Friday as a legal battle continues over the proposed monument, which the administration plans to build near Washington’s Memorial Circle on Columbia Island, close to Arlington National Cemetery.

The order allows an exception for work specifically intended to identify underground archaeological or cultural resources, as required under federal historic-preservation law. The ruling came a day after the Interior Department announced plans to move forward with excavation work at the site despite ongoing legal challenges and the lack of final approval from a federal planning authority.

Administration plans excavation

The Interior Department has said the initial work is intended to assess what may be beneath the site rather than begin construction of the arch. According to court filings, the government plans to dig four test pits beginning on or after September 21 to determine whether archaeological or cultural materials are present. The government says the site would be restored by October 31.

Judge Chutkan’s latest order requires the administration to notify the court at least 48 hours before engaging in activity at the location, except for efforts specifically related to archaeological assessment.

The judge had previously questioned the administration’s authority to build the monument. Under an earlier consent order, the government also agreed to provide 14 days’ notice before beginning actual construction.

Veterans and historian challenge project

The proposed arch has become the center of a legal dispute involving three military veterans and an architectural historian. The plaintiffs argue that the administration does not have sufficient legal authority to build the structure and that congressional approval is required.

The Trump administration has argued that a 1925 law authorizing a now-defunct commission to construct Arlington Memorial Bridge also provides congressional authorization for the arch. Opponents dispute that interpretation.

Proposed monument would reshape Washington skyline

The proposed structure, known as the Great Triumphal Arch and Military Observation Deck, would stand about 250 feet, or 76 meters, tall. The administration has presented the project as a monument honoring American veterans. Critics, however, say the structure could disrupt historic views between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House and would alter the character of Washington’s monumental landscape.

The project has received some preliminary approvals but still faces questions over final authorization. The National Capital Planning Commission has not granted final approval, according to reporting on the legal dispute.

The court battle is part of a broader controversy surrounding President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape Washington’s architectural landscape, including major changes at the White House and other prominent sites. For now, the judge’s order puts another legal hurdle in the path of the proposed arch and requires the administration to notify the court before moving forward with most activity at the site.

Shibbir AHmed, WASHINGTON DC — President Donald Trump has described the ongoing U.S. military conflict with Iran as “small potatoes,” downplaying the scale of a confrontation that has continued for months and resulted in the deaths of 18 U.S. service members.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump said he preferred to describe the situation as a “military conflict” rather than a war, echoing Vice President JD Vance’s argument that the fighting does not meet the definition of a conventional war.

Trump said U.S. military operations have largely involved intermittent airstrikes and emphasized that American ground troops have not been engaged in sustained combat. He compared the current casualties with those suffered in previous major U.S. wars. The president’s comments came as tensions with Tehran remain high and the United States continues military operations against Iranian targets.

Trump threatens further strike

Trump also warned that the United States could strike Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear facility, if Washington determines that Iran is moving equipment or taking other action at the site. The president said the United States could act against the facility “quite soon,” adding another potential escalation point in the conflict.

The conflict began on February 28 and has involved repeated U.S. military strikes against Iranian targets, while Iran has retaliated with attacks against U.S. and allied positions in the region. According to reporting cited by AP, the conflict has killed 18 U.S. service members and cost the United States more than $37.5 billion.

Trump says Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons

Trump reiterated that Iran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons under his administration. The comments come amid continuing concerns over Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and the possibility that further U.S. strikes could broaden the conflict.

Trump has repeatedly sought to portray the U.S. military campaign as limited, while the continuing casualties, financial costs and regional consequences have kept the conflict at the center of U.S. foreign-policy and domestic political debate.

Vice President Vance has also defended the administration’s decision not to characterize the confrontation as a traditional war, pointing to the nature of the military operations and the absence of sustained U.S. ground combat.

Trump’s remarks are likely to intensify debate over the administration’s Iran strategy as the conflict continues and the United States approaches the 2026 midterm elections.

DHAKA — The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has reminded holders of B1/B2 visitor visas that the visa category does not permit certain activities, including birth tourism, paid employment and formal academic study for credit. The embassy issued the reminder Saturday through its verified social media account, outlining activities that visitors are not authorized to undertake while traveling to the United States on a B1/B2 visa.

According to the embassy, “birth tourism”—traveling to the United States primarily to give birth for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child—is not permitted under a B1/B2 visitor visa.

The embassy also reminded visa holders that they cannot work for or receive remuneration from a U.S. employer or business while in the United States on a visitor visa. Formal study for academic credit is likewise not permitted. Visitors seeking to pursue degree-level or other qualifying academic study generally need an appropriate student visa.

What B1/B2 visas allow

The B1/B2 category is a nonimmigrant visitor visa generally used for temporary business and tourism. The B1 component covers certain temporary business activities, including attending business meetings and consultations, participating in professional or business conferences, negotiating contracts and conducting other permitted business activities that do not constitute employment in the United States.

The B2 component generally covers tourism, vacations, visits to family or friends and medical treatment. The State Department also permits certain short recreational courses that are not taken for academic credit.

Activities prohibited on visitor visas

The U.S. Department of State says visitor visas cannot be used for employment, formal study, permanent residence or professional activities that require another visa category. The department specifically lists employment and study among activities that are not permitted on visitor visas. It also states that working as foreign press, including in print journalism and other information media, is not permitted on a visitor visa. Foreign journalists traveling to the United States to work in their profession generally need the appropriate media visa rather than a B1/B2 visitor visa.

Birth tourism

The State Department separately states that traveling to the United States primarily to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child is not a permissible basis for a visitor visa. The embassy’s reminder comes as the issue of birthright citizenship remains the subject of an ongoing legal and political debate in the United States. A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration’s latest executive order seeking to restrict birthright citizenship, saying the order could not override Supreme Court precedent.

The Embassy’s latest message, however, concerns the permitted uses of the B1/B2 visitor visa and does not itself change the existing visa categories. Travelers are advised to ensure that the purpose of their trip matches the visa category under which they are entering the United States. The State Department notes that travelers who intend to engage in activities requiring another visa category should seek the appropriate visa or, where applicable, follow the required change-of-status procedures.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC— U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that the United States may strike Iran’s heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain site “very soon,” raising the possibility of a further escalation in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran. Trump’s remarks came as tensions between the United States and Iran remain high, with Washington continuing military and economic pressure on Tehran.

According to Reuters, Pickaxe Mountain is located near Iran’s already heavily damaged Natanz uranium-enrichment complex. The site contains deeply buried tunnel complexes and has been identified by U.S. and Israeli officials as a location of concern because of its potential connection to Iran’s nuclear activities.

Trump signals possible new strike

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said the United States could target Pickaxe Mountain soon. His comments represent a renewed warning over the facility after he previously threatened military action against the site.

Trump has repeatedly said that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains a central U.S. objective. In a separate interview aired this week, he said the United States was closely monitoring Pickaxe Mountain and claimed American surveillance capabilities provide information about activity at the location.

The president’s latest comments do not establish that a strike has been ordered or that one is imminent. They indicate that military action against the site remains under consideration.

What is Pickaxe Mountain?

Pickaxe Mountain, also known by its Persian name Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is an underground facility being developed south of the Natanz nuclear complex, roughly 225 kilometers (140 miles) from Tehran.

The facility is located beneath a mountain, making it considerably more difficult to attack than above-ground nuclear infrastructure. Satellite imagery and open-source assessments have shown extensive construction and tunnel systems at the site.

The International Atomic Energy Agency has not had direct access to the underground facility, leaving uncertainty over precisely what equipment or nuclear material may be located there.

Why the site is important

The concern surrounding Pickaxe Mountain centers on its potential ability to protect sensitive nuclear equipment underground. Reports have suggested that Iran could potentially move uranium-enrichment centrifuges or other nuclear-related equipment into deeply buried facilities. However, the exact contents and operational status of Pickaxe Mountain remain uncertain.

Trump previously acknowledged that Iran may have moved centrifuges to the site but said the presence of centrifuges alone would not necessarily mean Iran possessed nuclear material there. The facility’s depth also presents a significant military challenge. Earlier reporting has noted that even the most powerful U.S. bunker-busting weapons may face difficulties reaching installations buried deep beneath the mountain.

Comes amid wider U.S.-Iran confrontation

Trump’s latest warning comes amid continuing military confrontation between the United States and Iran. The United States has also intensified economic pressure on Tehran. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Türkiye-based Golden Global Bank and two subsidiaries, accusing them of helping Iranian financial institutions access international banking networks.

The Treasury said the action was part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Iranian financial networks and restricting resources that Washington says support Iran’s regional activities. The combination of military pressure and financial sanctions reflects Washington’s continuing effort to pressure Tehran over its nuclear program and other regional activities.

Risk of further escalation

A U.S. strike on Pickaxe Mountain could mark another significant development in the conflict because of the facility’s location and its reported underground construction. Any attack could also increase regional tensions and potentially affect ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Iran and international mediators.

For now, Trump’s statement indicates that the facility remains under close U.S. surveillance and that military action remains a possibility. Whether Washington ultimately carries out an attack, however, remains unclear. The situation is developing.

Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — The United States has imposed sanctions on a Türkiye-based financial institution and two of its subsidiaries, accusing them of providing critical international banking access to Iran and facilitating tens of millions of dollars in transactions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the action Friday as part of Operation Economic Outcast, a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Iran’s access to international financial networks and cutting off revenue streams that Washington says support the Iranian regime’s regional activities.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Golden Global Yatirim Bankasi Anonim Sirketi, also known as Golden Global Bank, under Executive Order 13902. Two Türkiye-based subsidiaries—Golden Global Varlik Kiralama Anonim Sirketi and Golden Global Portfoy Yonetimi Anonim Sirketi—were also designated.

According to the Treasury Department, Golden Global Bank provided correspondent banking services to Iranian financial institutions, allowing funds connected to Iran to move through the international financial system.

Treasury alleged that the bank was established to facilitate the transfer of Iranian oil revenues from China to Türkiye, where the proceeds could subsequently be converted into cash and gold through money exchangers associated with Iran’s financial networks.

The department also said the bank knowingly facilitated transactions involving accounts controlled by the IRGC-QF and its proxies. Treasury specifically cited a network connected to Turkish businessman Sitki Ayan and his companies, which the U.S. sanctioned in 2022 over alleged involvement in moving hundreds of millions of dollars related to IRGC-QF oil sales.

“Financial institutions continue to find out the hard way that we are serious about Operation Economic Outcast,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in announcing the action.

The Treasury said the latest sanctions are intended to send a warning to financial institutions around the world that facilitating Iranian sanctions evasion or illicit financial activity could result in restrictions on access to the U.S. financial system.

Part of broader pressure campaign

The action is the latest development in Operation Economic Outcast, which Treasury Secretary Bessent announced on Aug. 24. The campaign focuses on financial networks that the U.S. says Iran uses to generate revenue, evade sanctions and move money internationally.

Treasury said Iran’s existing U.S. sanctions have pushed the country toward multinational “shadow banking” networks that provide access to international financial channels, including U.S. dollar correspondent banking relationships.

Washington has increasingly targeted financial intermediaries outside Iran that it says help Iranian institutions access the global financial system. On Aug. 28, the Treasury Department announced measures targeting Iran’s access to banks in the United Arab Emirates, including a proposed rule that would restrict Banque Misr UAE’s correspondent banking access to U.S. financial institutions.

Sanctions take effect immediately

Under the latest action, property and interests in property belonging to the designated entities that are in the United States or under the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.

U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving the blocked entities unless authorized by OFAC. The sanctions can also affect foreign financial institutions that knowingly conduct or facilitate certain significant transactions involving sanctioned persons.

OFAC said it has also issued Iran General License CC, which authorizes a limited wind-down of certain transactions involving persons blocked in the Sept. 4 action. The Treasury Department said it will continue identifying financial institutions and other intermediaries that provide Iran with access to international financial channels.

Washington has said the ultimate objective of the sanctions campaign is to pressure Tehran to abandon activities that the U.S. considers destabilizing, including support for armed groups in the Middle East and efforts related to its military capabilities.

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Editorial:

Bangladesh’s Rohingya crisis is no longer simply a humanitarian emergency. After years of hosting a large displaced population, the crisis has increasingly become intertwined with national security, border management, economic pressure, environmental degradation and regional stability.

Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable humanitarian responsibility by providing shelter and assistance to Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar. But humanitarian assistance, however essential, cannot be a permanent solution. The longer the crisis continues, the greater the burden becomes for Bangladesh—and the greater the risks become for the refugees themselves.

The fundamental question is therefore becoming increasingly difficult to avoid: How long can Bangladesh continue to manage the crisis without a credible pathway to resolving it?

Food, healthcare, education and shelter remain essential for the Rohingya population. International humanitarian assistance must continue. But relief programmes address the consequences of displacement, not its root causes.

The central issue remains unchanged: why are the Rohingya unable to return safely to their homeland, and what must be done to create the conditions for a voluntary, safe and dignified return?That is where diplomacy must take centre stage.

A humanitarian crisis with security implications 

The prolonged presence of large refugee communities has placed significant pressure on Bangladesh, particularly in Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas. Local infrastructure, public services, the environment and economic opportunities have all faced additional pressure.

There is also a growing security dimension. Concerns over organised crime, human trafficking, narcotics networks, illegal arms flows and the activities of armed groups in and around refugee camps cannot be ignored. At the same time, it is important not to stigmatise the Rohingya population as a whole. The overwhelming majority are victims of displacement who want security, basic rights and the opportunity to return home.

The challenge for Bangladesh is to protect the refugee population while preventing criminal and armed networks from exploiting the vulnerability created by prolonged displacement. This requires stronger law enforcement, intelligence cooperation, border surveillance and action against trafficking and organised crime. But security measures must also remain consistent with humanitarian principles. Ordinary refugees should not become victims of collective suspicion or punishment.

Myanmar remains at the centre of the problem

Ultimately, the Rohingya crisis cannot be permanently resolved inside Bangladesh because the root of the displacement lies in Myanmar. The continuing instability in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine State, makes the prospect of safe and sustainable repatriation increasingly complicated. If conditions inside Rakhine do not allow refugees to return with adequate security and basic rights, simply sending people back would not constitute a genuine solution.

Unsafe repatriation is not a solution; it risks creating another cycle of displacement. For that reason, Bangladesh must continue to insist that any repatriation process be voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable. The international community also has a responsibility that goes beyond humanitarian fundraising.

From aid diplomacy to solution-oriented diplomacy

For years, international attention has focused heavily on humanitarian assistance. That support has been indispensable. But the international response cannot remain confined to raising funds to sustain refugee camps indefinitely. The objective must now be to build a credible international framework for a lasting political solution.

Bangladesh should intensify diplomatic engagement with the United Nations, regional organisations and countries capable of exercising political and economic influence over Myanmar. The major powers and regional actors must be encouraged to play a more active role in creating conditions for safe and sustainable repatriation.

Diplomatic discussions should move beyond general expressions of concern. There must be greater focus on practical questions: security guarantees, citizenship and legal rights, freedom of movement, access to essential services, property and livelihood rights, and international monitoring of the repatriation process. Without addressing these issues, repatriation risks becoming a numbers exercise rather than a durable solution.

Bangladesh cannot carry the burden indefinitely

Bangladesh has already carried a substantial humanitarian and economic burden. International support for refugees must therefore continue, but the burden on host communities must also receive greater attention. The people of Cox’s Bazar and surrounding areas should not feel that they have been forgotten while international attention remains focused exclusively on the refugee population.

Development assistance should therefore address both refugees and host communities. Infrastructure, healthcare, education, employment opportunities and environmental protection require sustained investment. This is not about placing refugees and local residents against each other. It is about recognising that long-term stability depends on supporting both communities.

The next generation is at stake

Perhaps the most serious long-term concern is the future of Rohingya children and young people. A generation is growing up in an environment defined by displacement and uncertainty. Without adequate education, skills and hope for a better future, prolonged marginalisation can create frustration and vulnerability to exploitation by criminal or armed groups.

Education and skills development must therefore remain central to the humanitarian response. Providing young Rohingya with opportunities is not simply an act of charity; it is also an investment in regional stability.

At the same time, Bangladesh must strengthen the security and governance of the camps without turning them into permanent detention-like environments. Humanitarian protection and security are not mutually exclusive. In fact, effective humanitarian management can itself reduce security risks.

Bangladesh needs a stronger diplomatic strategy

Bangladesh now needs to move beyond crisis management towards a more comprehensive diplomatic strategy. The country should pursue three objectives simultaneously: protecting the humanitarian rights of the Rohingya, safeguarding Bangladesh’s national security, and creating sustained international pressure for safe and dignified repatriation.

These objectives should not be treated as competing priorities. They are interconnected parts of the same solution. Bangladesh should also ensure that the Rohingya issue remains on the international agenda. Global attention tends to shift as new conflicts and crises emerge. But the absence of headlines does not mean the crisis has disappeared.

Diplomatic engagement must therefore be continuous, coordinated and evidence-based. Bangladesh has a strong moral and legal argument for seeking international support. But moral appeals alone are not enough. Dhaka needs a clear strategy, measurable diplomatic objectives and stronger coordination with countries that have influence over Myanmar.

Relief must continue—but it cannot be the destination

The international community should not mistake the relative stability of the refugee camps for resolution of the crisis. A camp can provide temporary shelter. It cannot replace a homeland. Humanitarian assistance can save lives. It cannot resolve statelessness. International funding can sustain basic services. It cannot guarantee a political settlement. That is why the international response must evolve from relief diplomacy to solution-oriented diplomacy.

Bangladesh should continue providing humanitarian protection, but it should also make clear that the country cannot be expected to carry the consequences of a crisis it did not create indefinitely. The Rohingya crisis has reached a point where humanitarian responsibility and national security must be addressed together. Ignoring either dimension would be a mistake.

Bangladesh needs stronger border security, better camp management and tougher action against criminal networks. But it also needs sustained international diplomacy aimed at changing the conditions that made mass displacement possible in the first place.

The ultimate solution lies not in making refugee camps more permanent, but in making return possible. The Rohingya crisis will not be solved by relief alone. It will be solved when diplomacy produces the conditions for a safe, voluntary and dignified return.

For Bangladesh, the message should now be clear: aid must continue, but the goal must be a solution. The Rohingya crisis cannot remain a permanent humanitarian burden when what is urgently needed is a lasting political and diplomatic settlement.

Shibbir Ahmed, UNITED NATIONS, NY — September 4, 2026: Syria has begun destroying remnants of the chemical weapons programme inherited from the government of former President Bashar al-Assad, marking a major step in the country’s efforts to dismantle its clandestine chemical arsenal under international oversight.

The development was highlighted during a United Nations Security Council briefing on Syria’s chemical weapons programme, where UN officials reported that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had verified the destruction of chemical munitions in Syria for the first time since 2014.

UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told the Council that the verified destruction represented “significant progress” in international efforts to eliminate Syria’s remaining chemical weapons capabilities.

According to UN and Reuters reporting, the destruction includes 42 aerial bombs, along with additional chemical-weapons-related production and storage facilities. The verification represents the first confirmed destruction of Syrian chemical munitions by the OPCW since the international disarmament process began more than a decade ago.

Remnants discovered after Assad’s fall

The latest operation follows the discovery earlier this year of previously undeclared chemical-weapons materials in Syria. In May, an OPCW expert team working with Syrian authorities reported finding previously undeclared chemical munitions, chemical substances, equipment and extensive documentation linked to the former government’s chemical weapons programme.

The OPCW said its investigation found dozens of previously undeclared chemical munitions, including aerial bombs of the same type associated with chemical attacks in Ltamenah in 2017 and Khan Shaykhun in 2017, as well as rockets of a type associated with the 2013 Ghouta chemical attack.

The discovery was significant because the OPCW had repeatedly raised questions about gaps and inconsistencies in Syria’s earlier declarations concerning the full extent of its chemical weapons programme. Following the fall of the Assad government in December 2024, Syria’s new authorities opened the door to renewed international inspections and cooperation with the OPCW.

International verification

The OPCW plays the central technical role in identifying, securing and destroying Syria’s remaining chemical weapons materials, while the issue continues to be addressed by the UN Security Council under its existing mandate.

The OPCW said in July that Syria’s rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention had been reinstated after the country’s new authorities demonstrated progress in cooperating with the organisation. The decision followed steps including amendments to Syria’s declaration, preparations for facility agreements and plans for verification and destruction activities.

The current process is therefore not simply a Syrian announcement of destruction. The significance lies in the fact that the destruction has been independently verified by the OPCW.

That distinction is crucial in international chemical-weapons disarmament, where verification is intended to establish that declared materials have actually been destroyed and cannot simply be transferred, concealed or reused.

Damascus promises further action

Syria’s representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, told the Security Council that the destruction programme was intended to protect Syrians and prevent chemical weapons from falling into the wrong hands. The Syrian government has said it is cooperating with international experts to address the chemical weapons legacy left by the previous government.

The authorities are also preparing legal proceedings involving individuals allegedly connected to the former chemical weapons programme. Reuters reported that Syria is preparing trials involving 18 suspects, including senior figures allegedly connected to the programme.

The move could add an important accountability dimension to the international disarmament effort: not only destroying the remaining weapons and materials, but also investigating responsibility for their development and use.

Concerns over military activity

The Security Council discussion also reflected broader regional tensions. Syria’s UN representative criticized Israeli military actions in Syria, arguing that strikes could complicate chemical-weapons operations and place personnel involved in the destruction process at risk. Türkiye also raised concerns that Israeli military activity could make the disarmament effort more difficult.

Those claims remain part of the broader political dispute surrounding Syria and should be distinguished from the independently verified technical findings concerning chemical-weapons destruction.

A milestone after more than a decade

The latest development represents a significant change from the period when Syria’s chemical weapons programme was the subject of intense international confrontation. Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, following international pressure after the deadly chemical attack in Ghouta. The OPCW subsequently supervised the removal and destruction of declared chemical weapons, but questions remained about whether Syria had fully disclosed the scope of its programme.

The discovery of previously undeclared materials in 2026 reinforced those concerns. The new Syrian authorities’ cooperation with the OPCW has now created an opportunity for international inspectors to revisit sites, collect documentation, identify undeclared materials and oversee their destruction.

The OPCW said its current work includes efforts to establish a complete and accurate inventory of remnants of the Assad-era programme and ultimately ensure their destruction in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention.

UN welcomes progress but warns work remains

The UN briefing made clear that the destruction of 42 aerial bombs and other materials does not mean the Syrian chemical weapons dossier is closed. International inspectors still have work to do to determine the full extent of the former programme, verify Syria’s declarations and oversee the destruction of remaining chemical-weapons-related materials.

The OPCW has previously said that more than 100 locations across Syria were considered potentially relevant to the former chemical weapons programme, with high-priority sites selected for investigation based on information gathered over many years.

For the United Nations and the OPCW, the immediate objective is therefore twofold: complete the inventory and ensure the irreversible destruction of everything that remains. The first verified destruction since 2014 nevertheless represents an important milestone.

After years of international disputes over Syria’s chemical weapons declarations, the combination of renewed Syrian cooperation, OPCW inspections and verified destruction could mark the beginning of a new phase in efforts to permanently eliminate the country’s chemical weapons legacy.

For the Security Council, however, the challenge remains ensuring that the process continues safely, transparently and under international verification until the entire inherited programme is accounted for and eliminated.

KATHMANDU — At least 22,000 children in Nepal urgently need safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene assistance more than a week after devastating flash floods swept through the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river basin, UNICEF said. The floods damaged water-supply systems across affected districts and destroyed or severely damaged toilets and other sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of waterborne and infectious disease outbreaks.

Families displaced by the disaster are also crowded into host households and temporary holding centres, making it increasingly difficult to maintain basic hygiene and access clean water.

“Every parent in these districts is now making the same calculation several times a day,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal, referring to families’ urgent need to determine where they can obtain water and whether it is safe for their children.

UNICEF expands emergency response

UNICEF has already delivered water, sanitation and hygiene supplies for approximately 19,000 people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, two of the districts hardest hit by the floods. The emergency supplies include more than 3,800 hygiene kits, 3,300 collapsible 10-litre jerrycans, 3,500 buckets, 3,500 one-litre mugs and 4,000 bottles of water-treatment solution. More than 1,000 tarpaulin sheets have also been distributed.

UNICEF teams are working with Nepalese authorities and humanitarian partners on disease surveillance, hygiene awareness and outbreak prevention as the risk of infectious diseases rises.

Schools also heavily affected

The floods have also disrupted children’s education. UNICEF estimates that at least 19 schools have been damaged, including eight that were completely destroyed and another eight that suffered partial destruction. More than 10,000 school-age children are in need of immediate psychosocial support and access to safe learning spaces.

The damage to water infrastructure, homes and schools has left thousands of families facing an uncertain recovery while emergency teams continue providing essential assistance. Humanitarian agencies say restoring access to clean water and sanitation is particularly urgent because prolonged displacement and overcrowded living conditions can accelerate the spread of disease.

The latest warning comes as Nepal continues to recover from one of its most destructive recent flood disasters, with communities across the affected river basin struggling to rebuild homes, infrastructure and essential services. UNICEF said it will continue working with the Nepalese government and partners to provide life-saving water, sanitation, hygiene and child-protection support to affected communities.

NEW DELHI — India hosted a meeting of senior officials from the Quad countries in New Delhi on Thursday, with the four nations reviewing ongoing initiatives and discussing ways to strengthen practical cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri hosted the Quad Sherpas’ Meeting, which was attended by Elly Lawson, Deputy Secretary of the Strategic Planning & Coordination Group at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Hiroyuki Namazu, Japan’s Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs; and Sergio Gor, the U.S. Special Envoy to South and Central Asia and Ambassador to India.

The meeting followed the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on May 26, 2026, and focused on implementing the outcomes of that meeting while preparing for the next gathering of Quad foreign ministers.

The Sherpas reviewed progress on a range of ongoing Quad initiatives and explored ways to deepen practical cooperation among Australia, India, Japan and the United States. The officials reiterated their shared commitment to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, amid evolving security, economic and geopolitical challenges across the region.

According to the media note, discussions covered several major areas of Quad cooperation, including maritime and transnational security, economic prosperity and security, critical and emerging technologies, and humanitarian assistance and emergency response.

The officials also exchanged views on developments across the Indo-Pacific as well as broader regional and global issues. The meeting placed particular emphasis on translating the Quad’s commitments into concrete and action-oriented initiatives, reflecting the grouping’s increasing focus on practical cooperation rather than solely diplomatic coordination.

The Sherpas reaffirmed the importance of continued consultations among the four countries and said they looked forward to further discussions ahead of the next Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

The Quad—comprising Australia, India, Japan and the United States—has increasingly focused on cooperation in areas ranging from regional security and maritime awareness to emerging technologies, economic resilience and disaster response. Thursday’s meeting in New Delhi is part of the continuing diplomatic process aimed at coordinating the group’s priorities and advancing initiatives across the Indo-Pacific.