DHAKA — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave Dhaka on Monday for New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and is scheduled to address the General Debate on September 24, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the prime minister’s address will outline the government’s positions on Bangladesh’s democratic transition and a range of national and global issues.

According to the Foreign Secretary, Tarique Rahman is expected to speak about the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development and economic cooperation. He is also expected to highlight youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, the Rohingya crisis, equitable access to modern technology and reform of the multilateral system.

The visit will mark Tarique Rahman’s first participation in the UN General Assembly as Bangladesh’s prime minister. It will also be the first appearance at the UN’s highest-level global forum by the incumbent government, according to the Foreign Secretary. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister is serving as president of the 81st General Assembly session, which officials described as an additional significance for the country’s participation this year.

Packed diplomatic schedule

Tarique Rahman’s official engagements are scheduled to begin on September 22 with a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of state and government. He is also scheduled to attend the opening of the high-level segment and a reception hosted by the U.S. president for heads of state and government and their spouses.

On September 23, the prime minister is expected to meet representatives of international charitable and humanitarian organizations. He will also participate in a high-level meeting on global inequality and attend a meeting on climate action and a just transition.

The Rohingya crisis will be another major focus of the visit. At a side event on the crisis, Tarique Rahman is expected to call for greater international cooperation to facilitate the earliest possible repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar. At climate-related meetings, Bangladesh is expected to emphasize issues including climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice.

Sea-level rise and maternal health

On September 24, the prime minister is scheduled to deliver opening remarks at a high-level UN meeting addressing the threats posed by sea-level rise. The United Nations has scheduled the high-level meeting for September 24 at its New York headquarters. The meeting will bring together world leaders and other stakeholders to discuss international cooperation and practical measures to address the growing impacts of rising sea levels, particularly on vulnerable coastal and low-lying countries.

Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to address a Bangladesh-hosted side event on maternal and newborn health and midwifery. He is expected to outline government initiatives concerning maternal and child health and emphasize the importance of trained midwifery services.

Bilateral meetings

On the sidelines of the General Assembly, the prime minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the crown prince of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti. According to the Foreign Secretary, the meetings are expected to cover bilateral political and economic relations, trade and investment, development cooperation, the Rohingya crisis and other issues of mutual interest.

Tarique Rahman is also expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the president of the European Council, the president of the World Bank Group, the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy on Myanmar, and the UN high commissioners for refugees and human rights. He is additionally scheduled to meet the president of the International Peace Institute.

Focus on investment and economic diplomacy

Economic diplomacy will also feature during the visit, with meetings planned between the prime minister and senior representatives of Meta, Wall Street and other business organizations. The discussions are expected to focus on Bangladesh’s investment environment, manufacturing, infrastructure and technology, human-resource and skills development, and employment opportunities for young people.

The prime minister is scheduled to leave New York for Dhaka on the night of September 25. The Foreign Secretary said the government hopes the visit will help expand Bangladesh’s bilateral and multilateral cooperation and present its priorities to the international community.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser to the Prime Minister on the Ministries of Finance and Planning, has called for comprehensive reform of the global financial architecture to ensure affordable, predictable and vulnerability-sensitive financing for developing countries.

Speaking at the Leaders’ Dialogue on “Leading SDG Action” during the 2026 SDG Moment at the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York, Dr. Titumir said the global financial system must move beyond simply financing development and instead create the conditions necessary to sustain it.

“Our broader vision should be collective and forward-looking: a global financial architecture that does not merely finance development, but creates the conditions in which development can be sustained,” he said. Dr. Titumir outlined five priorities for reforming the international financial architecture, particularly the role of multilateral development banks.

He called for a shift from responding to crises after they emerge toward anticipating vulnerabilities; greater representation and voice for vulnerable countries in international financial institutions; longer-term, lower-cost and predictable financing; closer alignment of international financing with national development strategies through coordinated, multi-year financing; and flexible transition support and preferential arrangements for countries graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category, including Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi adviser also highlighted the country’s SDG Village initiative, describing it as an integrated, community-led approach to translating the Sustainable Development Goals into tangible improvements at the local level.

The 2026 SDG Moment, held on September 18 at UN Headquarters, brought together representatives of UN member states, international organizations and civil society to discuss accelerating action toward the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the 2030 deadline.

The Leaders’ Dialogue also featured Teresa Ribera of the European Commission, Aristide Médénou, Minister of Economy and Finance of Benin, and Beatriz Carles de Arango, Minister for Social Development of Panama. The discussion was moderated by Sherwin Bryce-Pease of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

A democratic state does not depend solely on holding elections. Its long-term stability depends on the strength of public institutions, accountability, the rule of law, and the protection of citizens’ rights. Governments may change and political leaders may come and go, but strong and impartial institutions provide continuity and stability to the state.

For Bangladesh, the key question in advancing democracy should therefore not simply be who is in power, but how effectively and accountably the country’s institutions function. The Election Commission, judiciary, civil administration, law enforcement agencies and local government institutions all need to earn and maintain public confidence.

Political differences and competition are natural features of a democracy. However, political conflicts should never be allowed to weaken state institutions. Those in power must remain accountable, while opposition political forces must also respect democratic rules and the law.

The most effective way to strengthen democracy is to build a political culture in which the transfer of power is accepted as a normal part of democratic life and state institutions serve the public interest rather than the interests of any individual or political group.

The fundamental challenge for Bangladesh’s democratic future is clear: Can the country move beyond personality-driven politics and build institutions strong enough to serve the people and withstand political change?

DHAKA — Science and Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam has sought support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to expedite the supply of electricity from Bangladesh’s Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant to the national grid.

He made the request during a bilateral meeting between a Bangladesh delegation and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi at the agency’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on Thursday, according to an official handout.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mahbub Anam. The meeting focused on expanding the peaceful applications of nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety and security, and enhancing cooperation between Bangladesh and the IAEA. The minister thanked Grossi and the IAEA for their continued support in promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and strengthening international cooperation.

The two sides also discussed further strengthening Bangladesh’s capacity in nuclear science and technology through technical cooperation, human resource development, education, training and research. Mahbub Anam said Bangladesh has benefited from the IAEA’s technical cooperation programme for more than five decades in areas including healthcare, agriculture, food security, water management, industry and energy.

He noted that Bangladesh recently signed its Country Programme Framework (CPF) for 2026–2032, which he said would create new opportunities for technical cooperation in the years ahead. Describing the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as a historic milestone for Bangladesh’s energy security, the minister said the country had made significant progress toward carbon-free electricity generation through fuel loading at Unit 1 of the plant.

“This has opened up new possibilities for meeting the country’s growing electricity demand, ensuring energy security and addressing climate change,” he said. Mahbub Anam reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to maintaining the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security and responsible management. He also highlighted Bangladesh’s accession to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management, describing it as a reflection of the country’s commitment to a safe and responsible nuclear programme.

The meeting also discussed cooperation under the IAEA’s Rays of Hope: Cancer Care for All initiative. Mahbub Anam thanked Grossi and the IAEA Secretariat for their leadership in advancing the programme. Bangladesh joined the Rays of Hope initiative in 2025 and is working with the IAEA to develop it into an effective national-level programme. The minister said one of the initiative’s priorities is establishing an integrated, one-stop cancer care centre to provide more coordinated, accessible and patient-centred treatment.

He stressed the importance of further IAEA technical cooperation in capacity building, knowledge exchange and developing a sustainable cancer treatment system in Bangladesh. Mahbub Anam also welcomed the IAEA-WHO Impact Review Mission, scheduled for November 2026, saying it would provide an opportunity for an evidence-based assessment of Bangladesh’s national cancer control capacity and help establish practical priorities for improving cancer care.

Emphasising the need to bring the benefits of science and technology closer to the people, the minister said nuclear technology should contribute not only to technological advancement but also to improving living standards, strengthening climate resilience, increasing agricultural productivity and expanding healthcare services.

He urged the IAEA to expand opportunities for international education, training, fellowships and joint research for Bangladeshi students, scientists and researchers. The minister said Bangladesh aims to build a more integrated, equitable and sustainable cancer care system and ensure that the benefits of nuclear science and technology reach people who need them most.

He also called for deeper international cooperation with the IAEA in promoting peaceful nuclear technology, strengthening nuclear safety and security, and supporting sustainable development. Science and Technology Secretary Md Anwar Hossain, Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative to Vienna Toufique Hasan, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Dr M Moinul Islam, and Joint Secretary of the Science and Technology Ministry Sheikh Mohammed Tauhidul Islam attended the meeting.

DHAKA: The prosecution of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has filed formal charges against eight people, including former Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. ASM Maksud Kamal and writer and academic Dr. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, over alleged crimes against humanity linked to attacks on students during the 2024 July Uprising.

The formal charges were submitted to the registrar’s office of International Crimes Tribunal-1 (ICT-1) on Wednesday, September 16. The other accused are Dhaka University Professor AKM Jamal Uddin, retired Appellate Division Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former Bangladesh Chhatra League President Saddam Hossain, General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Enan, former Dhaka University Chhatra League President Mazharul Kabir Shayan and General Secretary Tanbir Hasan Shaikat.

Manik, Jamal Uddin and Shaikat are currently in custody, while the other five have been reported as absconding. Speaking to journalists after the charges were filed, ICT Prosecutor Gazi Monawar Hossain Tamim said the accused face allegations of incitement, conspiracy, attempt and provocation in connection with attacks on protesting students at Dhaka University during the July Uprising.

The prosecutor alleged that Maksud Kamal made provocative statements and was involved in a conspiracy that led to attacks on protesters by Chhatra League, Jubo League activists and police. “We have submitted a formal charge in this regard,” he said.

According to the prosecution, the charges were prepared on the basis of information and documents collected during the investigation. The tribunal will now consider the formal charges and determine the next stage of the legal proceedings.

DHAKA — Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin has said the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to supply 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh’s national grid by next month.

The ambassador made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque at the FBCCI office in Gulshan on Wednesday afternoon. Khozin said work is underway to resolve technical issues at the nuclear power plant, with nearly 4,000 Russian experts and engineers currently involved in the process.

During the meeting, the Russian envoy also agreed to jointly establish a Russia-Bangladesh Business Council aimed at expanding trade, investment and broader economic cooperation between the two countries.

He said Russia is also planning to organize a Russia-Bangladesh Business Forum in Moscow, providing an opportunity for businesses from both countries to establish direct contacts and explore potential partnerships.

According to the ambassador, a formal announcement about the proposed forum is expected during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission, scheduled to be held in Dhaka in early November. The business forum is expected to facilitate greater interaction between Bangladeshi and Russian traders and create new opportunities for bilateral business cooperation.

To further strengthen trade ties, FBCCI Administrator Fazlul Hoque urged Russia to give greater priority to Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, along with other emerging areas of mutual economic interest. The discussions highlighted the two countries’ interest in expanding economic and commercial relations while exploring new avenues for investment and private-sector cooperation.

DHAKA: The International Crimes Tribunal-2 (ICT-2) today sentenced Awami League General Secretary and former minister Obaidul Quader and six others to death for crimes against humanity committed during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. A three-member tribunal headed by Justice Nazrul Islam Chowdhury delivered the verdict this afternoon.

The six other convicts are Awami League Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat, Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash, Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil, Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain and its General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan.

All seven were tried in absentia and remain at large, according to reports on the verdict. The tribunal also ordered the confiscation of 50 percent of the movable and immovable properties of Quader, Nasim, Arafat, Parash and Nikhil. The proceeds from the sale of the confiscated assets are to be used to provide compensation to those killed and injured during the July-August uprising, through the July Foundation or another statutory institution.

Charges against Quader

According to the prosecution, Quader, as Awami League general secretary and a former cabinet minister, exercised command and control over law enforcement agencies and armed cadres of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations during the suppression of the student-led movement.

The prosecution alleged that he issued instructions to party and student leaders to confront protesters, helped coordinate the mobilisation of armed cadres and was involved in decisions concerning the use of force, curfew measures and restrictions on communications. The prosecution also alleged that the violence during the July-August uprising resulted in more than 1,400 deaths and over 25,000 serious injuries.

Bahauddin Nasim

The tribunal also sentenced AFM Bahauddin Nasim to death. The prosecution accused him of participating in high-level party decision-making concerning the response to the student protests and of helping organise and facilitate measures to suppress the movement.

The prosecution further alleged that Nasim was involved in coordinating the implementation of the government’s crackdown and that statements made by him contributed to the mobilisation of party activists and law enforcement personnel against protesters.

Mohammad Ali Arafat

Former State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Arafat was also sentenced to death. The prosecution accused Arafat of involvement in efforts to control media coverage of the violence and suppress reports concerning killings and attacks during the uprising. It also alleged that he participated in decisions concerning the government’s response to the protests and supported the use of force against demonstrators.

Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash

Jubo League Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash was convicted of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. According to the prosecution, Parash exercised command responsibility over Jubo League activists mobilised to suppress the student movement. Prosecutors linked the organisation’s cadres to violent incidents in several parts of the country during July and August 2024.

Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil

Jubo League General Secretary Md Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil was also handed the death sentence. The prosecution accused Nikhil of mobilising Jubo League activists and participating directly in operations against protesters. It alleged that he was involved in armed attacks in Dhaka and played a role in coordinating Jubo League activities during the uprising.

Saddam Hossain

Bangladesh Chhatra League President Md Saddam Hossain was convicted and sentenced to death for his alleged role in organising and mobilising armed cadres against student protesters. The prosecution alleged that Saddam issued threats against demonstrators and helped organise BCL activists during attacks on Dhaka University and other locations. Prosecutors also linked the organisation’s activities to violence that resulted in deaths and injuries during the uprising.

Sheikh Wali Asif Inan

BCL General Secretary Sheikh Wali Asif Inan was the seventh person sentenced to death. The prosecution accused Inan of receiving operational instructions and funds, mobilising BCL activists and participating in attacks against protesters. It also alleged that he coordinated activities with senior party leaders during the violence.

Trial proceedings

The investigation into the case began in June 2025, and the investigation agency submitted its report to the prosecution in December that year. ICT-2 formally took cognisance of the charges in December 2025 and framed charges in January 2026.

The trial began in February 2026, with 29 prosecution witnesses giving testimony. The prosecution and defence concluded their closing arguments in August, after which the tribunal kept the case awaiting judgment. The defence had rejected the allegations and sought acquittal, according to reports on the proceedings.

DHAKA — U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen inaugurated a new Smart Warehouse of Paxar Bangladesh Limited, a subsidiary of global materials science and manufacturing company Avery Dennison, at the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Savar on Monday. The technology-driven facility is designed to strengthen supply-chain efficiency and improve the speed and accuracy of supplying labels and other products to Bangladesh’s ready-made garment and footwear industries.

The 830-square-metre warehouse has been integrated with Paxar Bangladesh’s existing operations and can accommodate approximately 25,000 cartons at a time. Receiving, storage, order picking, packing and dispatch operations will be managed through digital and automated technologies.

The new facility is part of Avery Dennison’s broader Manufacturing 4.0 initiative and reflects the company’s efforts to introduce greater automation, digital connectivity and supply-chain visibility into its Bangladesh operations.

The warehouse incorporates seven automated guided vehicles (AGVs), advanced warehouse management systems and connected packing software. According to Avery Dennison, the system is designed to deliver real-time visibility across the fulfillment process, with processing speeds increasing by 72 percent, inbound volume capacity rising fivefold, outbound velocity doubling and inventory density increasing by 50 percent.

Speaking at the inauguration, Ambassador Christensen said technology, productivity and supply-chain efficiency were important for strengthening Bangladesh’s competitiveness. He said American companies could further enhance Bangladesh’s industrial capabilities through technology, expertise and investment, adding that initiatives such as Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse demonstrated the potential for deeper commercial and economic ties between Bangladesh and the United States.

“Congratulations to Avery Dennison on the opening of its new Smart Warehouse in Bangladesh. This investment is an excellent example of American business, technology, and innovation strengthening the commercial relationship between our two countries,” Christensen said.

The inauguration was attended by Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, ndc, afwc, psc, G, MPhil; American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) President Syed Mohammad Kamal; and members of Avery Dennison’s executive leadership team.

Major General Moazzem Hossain said technology-driven investment was increasing the capacity and productivity of enterprises operating in the EPZs while making Bangladesh’s export industries more competitive.

He described Avery Dennison’s Smart Warehouse as an example of Bangladesh’s progress toward smart manufacturing, automation and modern supply-chain management.

“Companies like Avery Dennison are bringing not only investment to Bangladesh, but also technology, knowledge and modern production practices,” he said. He also emphasized that technology transfer and development of a skilled local workforce were among the important long-term benefits of foreign direct investment.

Before the inauguration, Ambassador Christensen met with the BEPZA executive chairman at the Dhaka EPZ Zone Office. During the meeting, BEPZA briefed him on its activities, investments in the EPZs, exports, employment, labour conditions and worker-management relations.

The discussions also focused on technology-driven investment, international standards and opportunities to strengthen Bangladesh-U.S. economic and trade relations. Christensen later wrote in the visitors’ book that he looked forward to working together on a mutually beneficial trade agenda to help unlock Bangladesh’s economic potential. He also planted a sapling on the Zone Office premises.

Avery Dennison said the new facility was developed in response to growing demand from customers for faster fulfillment, greater customization and more transparent supply chains.

Michael Barton, senior vice president and general manager of Apparel Solutions at Avery Dennison, said Bangladesh remained an important part of the company’s global apparel business.

He said the company was committed to growing alongside Bangladesh’s apparel industry as customer requirements become faster, more customized and increasingly data-driven. The new facility combines automation, connected systems and the expertise of Avery Dennison’s teams to improve the speed and reliability of service to customers.

Sazzad Hossain, general manager for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Avery Dennison’s Apparel Solutions, said accuracy and speed were increasingly important as customers dealt with demanding production schedules and more complex orders.

He said improved inventory visibility and closer integration of packing, storage and dispatch operations would help the company respond more effectively to shorter lead times and customized production requirements.

The Smart Warehouse will serve apparel and footwear manufacturers in Bangladesh and global markets by improving inventory visibility, reducing picking delays and logistics errors, and enabling faster response to customer requirements.

Avery Dennison’s wider apparel solutions portfolio includes Embelex, an apparel embellishment platform covering heat transfers, embroidered patches, woven labels and specialty graphics, as well as Optica, its supply-chain solutions portfolio, and RFID and other digital identification technologies.

Paxar Bangladesh has been operating at the Dhaka EPZ since 2003. The U.S.-owned company has invested approximately $81 million in Bangladesh and currently employs around 1,500 people, according to BEPZA and media reports.

The opening of the Smart Warehouse comes as Bangladesh seeks to improve productivity, technological capacity and supply-chain efficiency in its export-oriented manufacturing sector. The investment also highlights the growing role of U.S. companies in bringing advanced technology, expertise and modern production practices to Bangladesh.

Avery Dennison’s latest investment is therefore being viewed not only as an expansion of its own operations but also as an example of how American technology and investment can contribute to Bangladesh’s transition toward smarter, more digitally connected manufacturing.

DHAKA: Prominent Bangladeshi children’s writer Amirul Islam, whose literary career spanned several decades and included more than 200 published books, has died at the age of 62. Islam died at 1:07 a.m. on Saturday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Dhaka, according to Mazharul Islam, chief executive of Anannya Prokash, a publishing house. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.

Details of his funeral prayer and burial had not been finalised at the time of filing this report. His family and Channel i, where he had been associated for many years, are expected to decide on the arrangements. Born on April 7, 1964, in Dhaka’s Lalbagh area, Amirul Islam became a recognised name in Bangla children’s literature through his extensive body of work for young readers.

He wrote stories, rhymes and other forms of creative literature for children and went on to publish more than 200 books during his literary career. His work formed part of a long tradition of Bangla children’s literature aimed at combining entertainment with creativity and encouraging young readers to engage with books.

Islam’s contribution to children’s literature was formally recognised when he received the Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2006. The award is one of Bangladesh’s major literary honours and marked an important recognition of his contribution to the country’s literary landscape.

A career in literature and media

Islam’s professional life extended beyond writing. He remained associated with the mass media for many years and worked with Channel i, one of Bangladesh’s leading television networks. His involvement in both literature and media placed him within two closely connected areas of Bangladesh’s cultural life. While his books reached children and young readers, his work in the media connected him with the country’s broader cultural and communications sector.

His literary output was particularly notable for its volume. With more than 200 published books, Islam left behind a substantial body of work written primarily for children. Stories and rhymes formed an important part of his writing, alongside other creative works. Over the years, his books helped make him a familiar name among readers of Bangla children’s literature.

Recognition and legacy

The Bangla Academy Literary Award in 2006 provided national recognition for Islam’s contribution to children’s literature. His work subsequently remained part of Bangladesh’s wider literary and cultural landscape. The death of a writer with such an extensive body of work represents a loss not only to his family and colleagues but also to the children’s literary community.

For generations of young readers, children’s literature has served as an introduction to reading, imagination and creative expression. Writers working in this field therefore occupy an important place in the development of a country’s literary culture.

Islam’s more than two hundred books constitute the principal legacy of his long literary career. His stories, rhymes and other writings will continue to be available to readers as part of the country’s children’s literature.

His death also marks the passing of a professional who maintained a long association with Bangladesh’s media industry alongside his work as an author. As of the time of filing, arrangements for his funeral and burial had yet to be announced. His family and Channel i are expected to provide further details.

Amirul Islam is survived by his literary works, including more than 200 published books, and a career that connected Bangladesh’s children’s literature with its broader media and cultural sphere.

NEW YORK: Saima Wazed has resigned as the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Director for South-East Asia. According to her resignation letter seen by Reuters, she stepped down amid investigations by the WHO and Bangladeshi authorities into allegations of fraud and document forgery. Her resignation took effect immediately.

Wazed assumed the position of WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia in early 2024 for a five-year term. However, she had been on unpaid administrative leave since July 2025. Earlier, in March 2025, Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed a case against her over allegations of fraud and forgery.

According to the Reuters report, allegations against Wazed included financial irregularities related to a trip to China, providing inaccurate information concerning her educational qualifications, and the alleged illegal acquisition of land in Bangladesh. Wazed has denied the allegations.

A July 3, 2026 letter from her lawyers, seen by Reuters, said the allegation concerning expenses from her China trip did not involve travel fraud. Instead, they said an assistant had made an administrative error while processing the repayment of routine expenses. The amount involved was $901.

Responding to questions about her educational qualifications, Wazed said she had received an honorary doctorate in recognition of her work on autism in Bangladesh and had informed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus about it.

Regarding the land allegations, Wazed said in her resignation letter that she had acquired the property before joining the WHO. She also said she was entitled to the land under a Bangladeshi law applicable to members of the family of Bangladesh’s founding leader, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In her resignation letter, Wazed further alleged that she had been prevented from effectively carrying out her responsibilities. She said the situation had destroyed her trust and confidence in the WHO leadership. She also said nearly a year without a salary had made her financial situation unsustainable.

The WHO told Reuters that a committee had recommended removing Wazed from her position one day before her resignation. The organization said her resignation would now be considered by the Regional Committee and the Executive Board. A WHO spokesperson said the process had been handled with fairness and appropriate procedures while protecting the organization’s interests and ability to fulfill its responsibilities.

The WHO is preparing to begin the process of selecting Wazed’s successor. Two Reuters sources said nominations are expected to be announced on October 12, applications are expected to be reviewed in December, and the election is planned for January 24. Until a new Regional Director is elected, Dr. Nilesh Buddh will serve in the role.

The Regional Director for WHO’s South-East Asia Region is one of the organization’s key leadership positions. The position involves overseeing the WHO’s response to disease outbreaks and emergencies and helping implement the organization’s policies in accordance with regional circumstances. Member states elect the Regional Director every five years. Bangladesh and India are among the countries in the region.