Turki Al Faisal is Guest of Honour at IGCF 2021

Bangladesh welcomed the UK’s support in areas such as knowledge, innovation, and skill development, enhanced co-operation between British and Bangladeshi universities, and in harnessing the Blue Economy. In light of the pandemic, both countries agreed to collaborate more actively so that Bangladesh continues progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. This would include new and ongoing UK technical assistance and programmatic interventions to support the economic recovery and trade capacity building, improve learning outcomes in primary and secondary education, strengthen public health services, and tackle the climate change crisis. The UK welcomed Bangladesh’s ambitious 8th Five-Year Plan and its prioritisation of recovery from the pandemic and highlighted the need for progress on development, including on poverty reduction, youth and female employment, and malnutrition. The UK stressed the importance of Bangladesh putting in place economic policies and systems to achieve its ambition of rapid, sustainable and green economic development; and pledged its ongoing cooperation. Bangladesh expressed interest in connectivity cooperation including for climate resilience and environmentally friendly infrastructure. Security and defence Both countries welcomed joint military cooperation, including training, professional military education and instructional exchanges, and looked forward to inaugurating a Defence Dialogue later this year. This would create opportunities for broader discussions on bilateral defence and military issues, including deployments, visits, joint exercises, training, workshops, defence supply, and procurement, and cooperation on capabilities. The UK commended Bangladesh’s contribution of troops to UN Peacekeeping Operations. Both countries appreciated working alongside each other in the UN Multidimensional Integrated

Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and through Bangladesh’s leadership as current Chair of the Women Peace & Security (WPS) Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) network, which encourages the recruitment of more female peacekeepers, particularly in senior positions. Bangladesh underlined the need for adequate financing and capabilities for peacekeepers to effectively deliver on their mandate. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Bangladeshi investigative, prosecuting, and judicial authorities in combatting crimes, and highlighted the importance of compliance with human rights, including to ensure that those accused of criminal offences are not able to escape justice by crossing national borders. Both countries welcomed the sustained progress made in aviation security in Bangladesh including at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and recommitted to continue close cooperation in further strengthening aviation security especially in the areas of sharing of best practices, training and capacity building. Both countries agreed to observe the 50 years of the establishment of their diplomatic relations in a befitting manner, including through exchange of visits at the highest political level. Bangladesh welcomed the UK’s ‘BritBanglaBondhon’ initiative and expressed interest in jointly organising events involving the peoples of both countries. The UK and Bangladesh discussed possibilities for enhancing sport cooperation and cultural exchanges. Leaders of the Bangladesh and UK delegations expressed satisfaction at the productive discussions that took place at the fourth Bangladesh-UK Strategic Dialogue in a warm and friendly atmosphere and agreed that the next Strategic Dialogue will be held in Dhaka in 2022.

SHARJAH, 13th September, 2021 HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, Founder and Trustee of the King Faisal Foundation and Chairman of the King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, will be the guest of honour at the 10th International Government Communication Forum (IGCF), where he will deliver a keynote address during the opening ceremony on 26th September, 2021. The twoday forum will run under the theme, "Historic lessons, Future ambitions", at Sharjah Expo Centre. Al Faisal boasts extensive experience in government communications regionally and internationally and is a leading figure supporting the Arab and Islamic cultures. He also dedicates himself to furthering regional causes on global platforms. He has held several important posts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and received numerous awards and honorary degrees. His participation in the IGCF 2021 aligns with the forum's goal to learn from leading Arab visionaries and thinkers and benefit from their vast experience. The 10th edition of the IGCF, organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), brings together 79 communication experts from 11 Arab and foreign countries to discuss innovative crisis management mechanisms and determine the future of government communication. Featuring an extensive agenda, the forum highlights include 31 events featuring seven panel discussions, five inspirational talks, seven training workshops, and 12 interactive programmes that focus on the historical experience of government communication, discuss its current realities, and envision its future on