Diplomatic Desk:
France has expressed interest in deepening its development partnership with Bangladesh. The country has emphasized expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including water supply, urban infrastructure, good governance, and climate finance.
On Wednesday (October 7, 2026), Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, the French Ambassador to Bangladesh, met with Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives. During the meeting, they discussed various issues of bilateral interest.
The French Ambassador highlighted the outcomes of the recently held ‘River Dialogue – Kallolini.’ This dialogue was organized jointly by the French development agency, AFD (Agence Française de Développement), and other development partners. Discussions focused significantly on river and water resource management and partnerships in related development initiatives.
The meeting also covered various development projects implemented with French funding and cooperation through the AFD. These projects include the Gandharbpur Water Treatment Plant, the third phase of the Sayedabad Water Treatment Plant project (Sayedabad-3), and the North Kattali project in Chattogram.
Furthermore, they discussed the ‘Integrated Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project’ (IUGIP)—aimed at strengthening urban governance and infrastructure—as well as initiatives to advance climate finance.
The objective of these projects is to create a visible and long-term positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of the people. These initiatives can play a crucial role, particularly in ensuring safe water supply, developing urban infrastructure, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
During the meeting, the French Ambassador reiterated France’s interest in further strengthening its development partnership with Bangladesh. At the same time, he conveyed France’s commitment to expanding bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest and shared priorities.
