Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday (May 21) on a two-day official visit to strengthen their bilateral ties with Bangladesh and find ways to boost cooperation for regional peace and prosperity.

Penny Wong was received at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary Rear Admiral (retd) Md Khurshed Alam.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia M Allama Siddiki was also present.

Australia is working with Bangladesh to deepen their cooperation, including on trade and investment, and find practical solutions to shared challenges such as climate change, regional maritime security, and human trafficking, said the Australian foreign minister.

"In Dhaka, I look forward to discussing these issues with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and other members of the Bangladesh government."

She will meet the prime minister at her official residence Ganabhaban at 4pm and will hold a meeting with her Bangladeshi counterpart at 5pm today.

Australia and Bangladesh have significant people-to-people links, with over 50,000 people in Australia born in Bangladesh.

"I will also travel to Cox's Bazar, where I will see how Australia's humanitarian assistance is delivering practical support to displaced Rohingya and Bangladeshi host communities," Penny Wong said.

Australia's humanitarian assistance is part of a global effort to address the causes of displacement, find durable solutions, and ultimately allow Rohingyas to realise their goal of returning to their homeland, according to the Australian High Commission in Dhaka.

She is travelling to Bangladesh to advance Australia's interests in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean region, said the Australian minister.

"As Australia enhances our engagement with the Indian Ocean region, I am pleased to undertake my first visit to Bangladesh," she added.

BDST: 1439 HRS, MAY 21, 2024
MSK/SMS