Diplomatic Desk:
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir and Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Weeks have emphasized further strengthening the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sweden.
On Sunday (October 4, 2026), Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir. During the meeting, he congratulated Humayun Kabir on assuming the role of State Minister for Foreign Affairs and exchanged views on various aspects of the Bangladesh-Sweden relationship.
Describing Sweden as a long-standing and trusted partner of Bangladesh, the State Minister praised Sweden’s cooperation in the country’s socio-economic development, democratic transition, and the enhancement of institutional capacity.
Discussions focused on various issues of mutual interest, including development cooperation, trade and investment, migration management, and climate change.
Both sides noted the potential for further expanding economic engagement between Bangladesh and Sweden. The State Minister urged Swedish investors to increase investment in sectors such as renewable energy, green technology, pharmaceuticals, engineering, and telecommunications in Bangladesh.
Views were also exchanged regarding Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and future trade arrangements with the European Union.
The State Minister thanked Sweden for co-hosting a high-level event titled “Midwifery into Primary Health Care” with Bangladesh on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA-81) last month.
Regarding migration, both sides discussed ensuring safe, orderly, and regular migration, as well as strengthening cooperation in the migration of skilled manpower and technical training.
During the meeting, the State Minister sought Sweden’s continued cooperation towards a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis. He emphasized the need for a more effective role by the international community to ensure the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar. At the same time, he sought Sweden’s support in maintaining international attention on the Rohingya crisis.
Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks reiterated his country’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Sweden. He also stated that Sweden is prepared to enhance cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.
The Ambassador commended Bangladesh’s initiatives for democratic reform as well as its continued humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas. He reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to working closely with Bangladesh in relevant multilateral forums towards the safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar.
Views were also exchanged on various regional and global issues during the meeting. Both sides expressed their resolve to continue mutual cooperation in relevant international and multilateral forums.
Optimism was expressed that the continued high-level contact and engagement between the two countries—reflected in the meeting held in a cordial atmosphere—would further strengthen Bangladesh-Sweden relations.
