Commonwealth family firmly committed to Bangladesh people: Shirley Botchwey

Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey, who is now on her first official visit to Bangladesh, has said their Commonwealth family remains firmly committed to the people of Bangladesh.

“I had fruitful discussions with Dhaka-based High Commissioners on how the Commonwealth can continue supporting Bangladesh to advance the values of the Commonwealth Charter for the benefit of its people,” she said on Sunday commenting on the meeting.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, Canadian High Commissioner Ajit Singh, Malaysian High Commissioner Mohd Shuhada Othman, Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Haider, Sri Lankan High Commissioner Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Maldives Shiuneen Rasheed, among others, joined the meeting.

The Commonwealth secretary-general also met Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and thanked him for updating me on preparations for the upcoming general election.

“We discussed the importance of an inclusive and credible process, and how the Commonwealth can support in facilitating the full participation of all Bangladeshis,” she said.

She met all major Bangladeshi political parties. "I valued hearing their views for a peaceful, credible and participatory election, as reflected in our Commonwealth Charter," Botchwey said.

The secretary-general said they will always stand with and support Bangladesh on its democratic journey.

During her meeting with Chief Justice of Bangladesh Syed Refaat Ahmed, the Commonwealth secretary-general appreciated his reflections on the rule of law and judicial independence – values central to their Commonwealth Charter – and on the judiciary’s role in contributing to inclusive governance under a democratic dispensation.

“The Commonwealth will support Bangladesh to build the capacity of its judiciary and benefit from best practices from our family of nations,” she said.

Her first meeting in Bangladesh was with youth leaders. “I was moved by their passion as they spoke about this moment of transition and their expectations for a democracy that works for all, for a future they are working hard to shape.”

Botchwey said the Commonwealth will always work alongside their young people to build a just and prosperous future for all.

The Commonwealth secretary-general is listening to a wide range of stakeholders and discussing how the Commonwealth can continue to support the people of Bangladesh at this important moment and beyond.

Her visit, from 20-24 November, comes ahead of the Bangladeshi general election expected to be held in February 2026.

The secretary-general will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday, a senior official said.

Discussions will focus on areas of mutual interest, including deepening ongoing engagement to support continued national progress for the people’s aspirations for peace and stability, democracy and good governance, and prosperity in Bangladesh.

During the engagements, the secretary-general is briefing stakeholders on the Commonwealth’s new Strategic Plan – which places democracy among its three core pillars – and listens to how tailored support can best assist the people of Bangladesh.

Speaking ahead of her visit, Shirley Botchwey described Bangladesh as a valued member of the Commonwealth, noting that it was the first intergovernmental organisation the country joined soon after independence.

“The Commonwealth and Bangladesh have a strong partnership, one that matters even more now as the country heads towards the polls next year,” she said.

“Our shared commitment with Bangladesh remains supporting a peaceful, inclusive and participatory environment, where rights and fundamental freedoms of every citizen are respected. That is what the people of Bangladesh rightly expect from us. They can continue to count on the Commonwealth as a trusted partner in their efforts to build a just, inclusive and prosperous future for all,” said the secretary-general.

Botchwey added that she wishes the people of Bangladesh well as they prepare to exercise their right to vote and reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s full support for them on their democratic journey.

The secretary-general’s visit builds on the recent mission by a Commonwealth pre-election assessment team, which visited last month and met with stakeholders across the political spectrum to assess the overall pre-poll environment.