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Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus said that the upcoming February election would usher in a new era for Bangladesh’s democracy as he was called on by mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo at his hotel in New York in the United States on Tuesday.

‘The upcoming February election will be a foundational one, ushering in a new era for the country’s democracy,’ he told Hidalgo.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed a range of pressing issues, including the upcoming general election in Bangladesh, reforms initiated by the interim government, the role  of social business in sports and the Olympics, and global refugee challenges—particularly the ongoing Rohingya humanitarian crisis.

Yunus, who played a key role in transforming the Paris 2024 Olympics into one of the largest social business events in history, emphasised the importance of making all future Olympic Games—including the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics—carbon neutral.

He stated, ‘Bangladesh is on course for a democratic transition, with the next general election scheduled for the first half of February.’

Hidalgo expressed her confidence in Yunus leadership during this critical time. ‘I admire your leadership. You’ve done an excellent job.’

Both leaders underlined the urgent need for increased funding to support humanitarian efforts for over one million Rohingya refugees living in camps in south-eastern Bangladesh.

Hidalgo specifically called for improved living conditions in refugee camps across the globe and expressed hope that the Rohingya people would one day be able to return safely and with dignity to their homeland in Myanmar.

Yunus noted that the United Nations was hosting a major international conference on the Rohingya crisis next week, with the aim of revitalising global attention on one of the most severe refugee situations in decades.

Muhammad Yunus also attended a reception hosted by the US president Donald Trump on the same day where he extended an invitation to the president to visit Bangladesh at his convenience.

Yunus joined the event at the invitation of President Trump who is now in New York to join the UN General Assembly.

During the reception, he exchanged pleasantries with Trump and several global leaders, including King Felipe VI of Spain, Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, UN secretary-general António Guterres and Bhutanese prime minister Tshering Tobgay.

He also met US secretary of state Marco Rubio and US special envoy for south and central Asia Sergio Gor during the reception.

Yunus has also urged the World Trade Organisation to provide its full support to ensure a smooth transition for Bangladesh as it prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status.

 Yunus raised the issue during a meeting with the WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the sidelines of the UNGA at the UN Headquarters.

He requested the WTO DG’s role in the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference for a meaningful outcome to assist countries on the path to LDC graduation, ensuring they are not adversely affected by the potential withdrawal of trade concessions or preferential trade access in developed markets.

The chief adviser has also urged the World Bank to assist in recovering the stolen funds and support the reform and modernisation of the Chattogram Port, emphasising its potential to generate millions of manufacturing jobs and enhance regional cooperation.

‘Chittagong Port is key to economic growth in the region. Let’s develop together,’ he said, noting that landlocked Nepal and Bhutan, as well as India’s seven northeastern states, stand to benefit significantly from an upgraded port.

The chief adviser made the call when World Bank president Ajay Banga met him on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at UN Headquarters in the US on Tuesday.

Yunus also attended a meeting of the public and private sector leaders on social innovation on the same day.

The event was organised by the World Economic Forum on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Yunus also held a series of high-level meetings with prominent global leaders on the sidelines of the 80th UNGA at the UN Headquarters.

Among those, he met were the prime minister of Australia Anthony Albanese, Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, director-general of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, former president of Chile, and the current foreign minister of Uruguay.

Yunus briefly exchanged greetings Anthony Albanese following their attendance at the UNGA’s inaugural session.

Their short conversation featured key topics, including reforms undertaken by the interim government, the upcoming general election in Bangladesh scheduled for February, and the growing Bangladeshi diaspora in Australia.

The CA was also honoured at Theirworld’s Annual Global Education Dinner, a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation, at a hotel during the United Nations General Assembly, which brought together global leaders and changemakers to champion education for all.

A central highlight of the evening was the presentation of Theirworld’s Unlock Big Change award to Muhammad Yunus, the 2006 Nobel peace laureate and founder of the Grameen Bank, in recognition of his pioneering work in social and economic development and his unwavering commitment to education.