Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized a Country Lecture Series (CLS) titled “Strengthening Ties: A Forward Look Between Bangladesh and Italy” on Monday, November 10, 2025, at BIISS Auditorium. H.E. Antonio Alessandro, Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh, was present as the speaker at the event.
The welcome address of the event was delivered by Major General Iftekhar Anis, BSP, AWC, AFWC, PSC, PEng, Director General of BIISS. Papers were presented at the event by; Professor Dr. Syeda Rozana Rashid, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka and Mr. Md. Mosharraf Hossain, Director General, Eastern Europe and CIS and Western Europe and EU, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh. Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka, moderated the event.
The speakers discussed the evolution, expansion and various aspects of Bangladesh-Italy bilateral relations. Italy’s support was crucial for the newly independent Bangladesh in achieving its membership in the United Nations. The country is a reliable development partner and one of the most desirable destinations for migrant workers from Bangladesh. Being home to some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, many Bangladeshi students and officials from various institutions go to Italy for higher education. The speakers also shed light on the wide range of Bangladesh-Italy cooperation in the security, law enforcement and scientific fields and provided guidelines for further advancing the relationship.
Senior officials from various ministries of Bangladesh, foreign diplomatic missions, media, businessmen, teachers and students from various universities, researchers, representatives of various think tanks, international organizations enthusiastically participated in the lecture and enriched it by presenting their valuable opinions, comments, insights, suggestions and observations in the open discussion session.
