Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Monday emphasized the importance of expanding regular migration opportunities for Bangladeshi nationals to Australia. During his meeting with Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs and Assistant Minister for International Education, Julian Hill, he sought Australia’s continued cooperation in combating irregular migration and human trafficking.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discussions underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration between Australian and Bangladeshi universities through joint academic programmes and institutional partnerships. The Australian Minister commended the growing Bangladeshi community in Australia for its valuable contributions to the country’s economy and multicultural society.
Earlier in the day, Assistant Minister Hill met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam. Their discussions covered cooperation in regular and irregular migration, skills development, higher education, energy, and women’s empowerment. The State Minister sought more opportunities for Bangladeshi students to pursue higher education in Australia, as stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Australia announced an additional AUD 25.25 million in humanitarian assistance through UNHCR to support life-saving aid and protection services for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh. An agreement to this effect was signed at the State Guest House Padma by Australian High Commissioner Susan Ryle and UNHCR Acting Country Representative Juliette Murekeyisoni, witnessed by Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Australia’s Assistant Minister Julian Hill.
The contribution is part of Australia’s new three-year AUD 370 million humanitarian assistance package to address the ongoing crises in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Since the beginning of the Rohingya refugee crisis in 2017, Australia has committed over AUD 1.25 billion in humanitarian assistance to the response.
The Australian High Commissioner stated that Australia’s support to the humanitarian crisis in Bangladesh and Myanmar, with more than AUD 1.25 billion committed since 2017, is Australia’s largest response globally. ‘I am proud that Australia continues to play a leading role in the response. Australia’s latest contribution of AUD 25.25 million to UNHCR demonstrates that we remain steadfast in our support of displaced Rohingyas and their host communities in Bangladesh.’
Assistant Minister Hill is on a two-day official visit to Bangladesh. During the visit, he also met with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, and Education Adviser Mahdi Amin.