Speech on A Partnership without Boundaries

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Special Lecture titled "A Partnership without Boundaries: U.S.–Bangladesh Relations" on 27 May 2013 at the Winter Garden, Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, Dhaka.

H. E. Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, delivered the keynote speech as the Guest Speaker. Mr Md Shahidul Haque, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, delivered the welcome address. H. E. Dan Mozena, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, made the introductory remarks, while Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad, Chairman of the Board of Governors, BIISS, chaired the session and delivered the concluding remarks.

In her address, Ambassador Wendy R. Sherman reaffirmed the United States' strong commitment to further broadening, deepening, and strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh. She described the bilateral relationship as one founded on shared values, mutual respect, and common strategic interests, and emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation across political, economic, security, and development sectors.

The Guest Speaker underscored the significance of an inclusive democratic process, stressing the importance of free, fair, and credible elections in strengthening democratic governance. She also highlighted the need for continued reforms in Bangladesh's industrial sector, particularly in improving workplace safety, labour rights, and the living standards of workers following recent industrial challenges.

Ambassador Sherman praised Bangladesh's outstanding contribution to United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, recognising the country's role as one of the world's leading troop-contributing nations. She also commended the vibrancy of Bangladesh's civil society and acknowledged its growing role in promoting social development, democratic participation, and community resilience.

Highlighting the broad scope of bilateral cooperation, she discussed opportunities for expanding collaboration in trade and investment, democracy and governance, regional security, counter-terrorism, climate resilience, renewable energy, public health, and regional integration. She announced several new U.S.-supported initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services, promoting the use of solar energy, addressing the impacts of climate change, and strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh's law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism and transnational security threats.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Munshi Faiz Ahmad emphasised that the United States remains one of Bangladesh's most important development partners and a significant source of foreign direct investment (FDI). He described the visit of Under Secretary Sherman as a milestone in the evolving relationship between the two countries and expressed optimism that the engagement would further strengthen the strategic partnership through enhanced cooperation in development, trade, security, and people-to-people exchanges.

The programme was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, policymakers, academics, researchers, military officials, representatives of international organisations, think tanks, business leaders, media professionals, and students. During the interactive discussion session, participants exchanged valuable questions, opinions, comments, and recommendations on the future direction of U.S.–Bangladesh relations and the opportunities for expanding cooperation in addressing shared regional and global challenges.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the enduring partnership between Bangladesh and the United States and a shared commitment to promoting peace, democratic values, sustainable development, economic prosperity, and regional stability through continued dialogue and collaboration.