Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said the upcoming February election will mark a new era for Bangladesh’s democracy as he met Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo in New York.

“The upcoming February election will be a foundational one, ushering in a new era for the country's democracy,” Prof Yunus told Hidalgo during their meeting at his hotel.

Discussions covered the upcoming polls, reforms taken by the interim government, the role of social business in sports and the Olympics, and global refugee issues—particularly the Rohingya crisis.

Prof Yunus, who played a key role in transforming the Paris 2024 Olympics into a major social business event, stressed the importance of making future Games, including Los Angeles 2028, fully carbon neutral. He reiterated that Bangladesh is on track for a democratic transition, with the election scheduled for the first half of February.

Mayor Hidalgo praised his leadership, saying: “I admire your leadership. You’ve done an excellent job.”

Both leaders emphasized the urgent need for increased global funding to support more than one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Hidalgo called for improved living conditions in refugee camps worldwide and expressed hope that the Rohingya could return to Myanmar safely and with dignity.

Prof Yunus said that the UN will host a major international conference on the Rohingya crisis next week to renew global attention. He also invited Mayor Hidalgo to visit Bangladesh.

Lamiya Morshed, SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary, was present at the meeting.

MN/