US Ambassador Pays Courtesy Call on Local Government Minister

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr. Abdul Moeen Khan held a courtesy meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen to strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.

The meeting, held at the minister’s office this morning, focused on the two countries’ partnership and potential cooperation in local government and development sectors. State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam was also present.

Dr. Moeen Khan expressed interest in utilizing U.S. experience and technical expertise in water management, waste management, renewable energy and agricultural cold-storage facilities.

He said that exchange of experience and joint initiatives in these areas would make Bangladesh’s development programmes more effective and sustainable. The minister added that the government believes in empowering the people and is working with special emphasis on the country’s economic prosperity.

He also noted that the government has undertaken several measures to make local government institutions stronger and more effective. Ensuring efficient waste management for urban governance and environmental protection remains one of the government’s top priorities, he said.

At the beginning of the meeting, Ambassador Christensen congratulated Dr. Moeen Khan on assuming his new responsibility. He highlighted the importance of the Local Government Ministry’s work for ordinary people in Bangladesh and expressed U.S. interest in continuing cooperation in the sector.

State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said that the Prime Minister also considers waste management a priority, stressing the need for greater international cooperation in this field.

Both sides expressed optimism that the longstanding friendship between Bangladesh and the United States would open new opportunities in the local government sector and make future cooperation deeper and more productive.

Local Government Division Secretary Md. Shahidul Hasan, Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Secretary Rafiqul E Mohamed, and senior ministry officials were also present.