Diplomatic Desk:
Asean Dhaka Committee (ADC) Chair and Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Mohammad Shuhada Othman has called for deepening and multi-dimensionalizing the long-standing friendly relations between Bangladesh and ASEAN. She said that Bangladesh and ASEAN can leverage each other’s strengths to create new opportunities for mutual benefit and common prosperity.
She made these remarks in her welcome address at a reception organized to mark the 59th founding anniversary of ASEAN at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel in the capital on Monday night. The event was organized by the ASEAN Dhaka Committee, which comprises ambassadors and high commissioners of ASEAN member states in Bangladesh.
Mohammad Shuhada Othman said that in addition to celebrating 59 years of remarkable journey, this day is also celebrating the eternal values of ASEAN unity, cooperation and friendship that bind the entire region together. Since its establishment in 1967, ASEAN has played a significant role in establishing regional peace and stability, economic development and deepening relations among its member states based on the principles of mutual respect, consensus and cooperation.
He said that Bangladesh is one of the most important friends of ASEAN that has developed long-term partnerships with various countries around the world. He mentioned Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to Malaysia as a recent example of the closeness of Bangladesh-ASEAN relations. The Malaysian High Commissioner commented that choosing ASEAN member country Malaysia as the destination of his first state visit as Prime Minister highlights the importance of greater engagement with ASEAN and Southeast Asia for Bangladesh.
Mohammad Shuhada Othman said that this visit reflects Bangladesh’s strong interest in deepening the partnership between Bangladesh and ASEAN and strengthening Bangladesh’s connectivity with Southeast Asia.
The Chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee said that ASEAN, home to over 680 million people, is one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions. On the other hand, Bangladesh also brings great strength to this partnership. In particular, Bangladesh’s large and young population, with its growing skills, aspirations and potential, can be an important asset in ASEAN-Bangladesh cooperation.
She said that the growing relationship between Bangladesh and ASEAN is also reflected in the various activities, engagements and public engagements of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee. ASEAN missions working in Bangladesh have taken various initiatives throughout the year to make ASEAN more familiar to the Bangladeshi people and raise awareness of the potential that exists between the two regions.
Emphasizing on trade and investment as well as education, culture, tourism and people-to-people contacts, she said that these initiatives reflect the existing warm friendship between Bangladesh and ASEAN and create immense potential for deeper cooperation in the future.
Referring to Bangladesh as a close friend and an increasingly important partner of ASEAN in South Asia, Mohammad Shuhada Othman said that Bangladesh and ASEAN can create mutually beneficial opportunities by complementing each other’s strengths. He expressed his hope to further deepen the partnership between the two sides by leveraging the existing positive momentum in the coming days.
Thanking the chief guest of the event, Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid, the Malaysian High Commissioner appreciated the unique example of ‘food diplomacy’ through Bangladesh’s traditional food and local products. He particularly mentioned the serving of Kachchi Biryani made from Bangladesh’s traditional Black Bengal goat.
Mohammad Shuhada Othman said that this initiative to showcase Bangladesh’s rich food tradition and local produce is not just a food service; rather, it is a unique means of bringing people and cultures closer. In his words, diplomacy is not limited to government-to-government relations, but rather a means of establishing communication between people and cultures is also an important part of diplomacy.
He jokingly told the guests at the event that they should definitely try the Bangladeshi Black Bengal Goat—because it is not every day that diplomacy brings such a ‘tasty invitation’.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Nina Padilla Keynglet spoke at the event about deepening ASEAN’s relations with Bangladesh. She said that consensus, patience and mutual trust have taken ASEAN forward in the nearly six decades of its existence. She also mentioned that the combined economy of the region of about 700 million people has reached close to US$4 trillion.
Referring to the theme of the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026, “Navigating Our Future Together,” Nina Padilla Keynglet said that ASEAN’s greatest strength is its solidarity and common determination. Member states are working together to build a peaceful, prosperous, resilient and people-centered regional community.
He said Bangladesh has been cooperating with ASEAN and has applied to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner to deepen institutional relations with ASEAN. At the same time, Bangladesh has also shown interest in joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The Philippine Ambassador praised the increased cooperation between Bangladesh and ASEAN member states in various fields, including aquaculture, information and communication technology, women’s empowerment, training of diplomats, education and people-to-people contacts.
He also said that these initiatives are being vividly reflected in various activities of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee in Bangladesh. Last year, Bangladesh hosted the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting on terrorism and transnational crime and a diplomatic training course for ASEAN diplomats, and recently a workshop on disaster risk identification and adaptation strategies in the fisheries and aquatic resources sector was also held.
The event highlighted ASEAN’s 59 years of achievements and future prospects, and emphasized the need to further enhance cooperation between Bangladesh and ASEAN in various fields, including trade, investment, tourism, education, culture, fisheries and aquatic resources, ICT and public engagement.
At the end of his speech, Mohammad Shuhada Othman appreciated the hard work and dedication of the members of the Working Group of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee in successfully conducting its activities. At the same time, he expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh, especially the Southeast Asia, Myanmar and Regional Organizations Wings, the diplomatic corps, the private sector, the media, educational institutions and think tanks, for organizing the event.
This event, which marks the 59th anniversary of ASEAN, further strengthens the existing relations between Bangladesh and the countries of Southeast Asia, as well as brings forward new prospects for future cooperation. In particular, mentioning Bangladesh as a close friend and potential partner of ASEAN, Mohammad Shuhada Othman’s speech made it clear that ASEAN member states are keen to deepen relations between the two regions.
