Highlights from the local media of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

September 29th, 2015 | Volume: 1 - 20/9

BANGLADESH US, UK issue travel alert in Bangladesh Prothom Alo | 29th September After Australia, the United States and United Kingdom on Monday issued two separate updated travel alerts advising their citizens to be vigilant while travelling in Bangladesh. The updated travel alert issued by US Embassy in Dhaka advised American citizens to limit their attendance at events where foreigners may gather, including events at international hotels. “There is reliable information to suggest that militants may be planning to target Australian interests in Bangladesh. Such attacks could likely affect other foreigners, including US citizens,” the updated alert issued on Monday said. PM Sheikh Hasina seeks global support for implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) UNB / Prothom Alo | 28th September Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh and other developing countries need global support on finance, technology, capacity building  to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “The international community must deliver on the means of implementation for each goal of the SGDs. We also must ensure that global trading and financial regime and institutions are fair and just, “she said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina receives 'Champions of the Earth' award UNB / The Financial Express | 29th September Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has received the highest environmental accolade of the United Nations Environmental Programme-(UNEP), 'The Champions of the Earth', award. It is a recognition of Bangladesh's far-reaching initiatives in addressing problems induced by climate change. World Bank sees much geo-economic leverage for Bangladesh bdnews24 | 29th September “Bangladesh is located strategically between South and South-East Asia. It can leverage that advantage for developing its trade and commerce, connectivity and infrastructure,” said Annette Dixon, the World Bank Vice-President for South Asia. BHUTAN Import of essential food items spirals KUENSEL | 28th September If the import of essential items is anything to go by, then Bhutan is far from achieving its target of food self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, Bhutan’s trade deficit with India last year stood at Nu 21.3B. Bhutan calls for reform of UN KUENSEL | 28th SeptemberPrime Minister Tshering Tobgay called for the UN to be reformed and supported India’s bid for a permanent seat on the organisation’s security council during his address to the UN Sustainable Development Summit on Saturday in New York. MALDIVES Maldives president unhurt but first lady injured in speedboat 'explosion' Haveeru Online | 28th SeptemberAn "explosion" occurred aboard a presidential speedboat Monday morning as President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim were returning to capital Male from the nearby airport island."The cause of the explosion is yet unknown. MNDF [Maldives National Defence Force] will comment on that after conducting a thorough investigation," Mohamed Hussein Shareef, a minister at the President's Office, told the television station. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon: Sustainable development not possible for small states, without progress in fight against climate change Sun Online | 28th September Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon has said that sustainable development of small island developing states like the Maldives would never be realised unless meaningful progress is made in the fight against climate change. Dunya made this remark in her statement at the UN Sustainable Development Summit 2015 in New York, on 27 September 2015. PAKISTAN UN chief urges Pakistan, India to hold talks Dawn| 28th September UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged India and Pakistan on Sunday to “continue their peaceful dialogue.” Kerry meets Nawaz, lauds anti-terror effortsDawn| 28th September US Secretary of State John Kerry in his meeting with  Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appreciated Pakistan's counter terrorism efforts and the success of anti-terror operation. SCO membership – a potential trump card for Pakistan The Express Tribune| 28th September The process of granting Pakistan full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) got under way in Ufa during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit in July this year and the country is expected to win the status in January 2016.  Afghan President Ghani says Pak-Afghan ties not brotherly The Express Tribune| 29th September Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Monday that relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan were not brotherly but like a relationship between two states. SRI LANKA Sri Lankan Prime Minister to visit Japan next month Colombo Page | 28th September Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe will visit Japan early next month to hold talks with his Japanese counterpart, Japanese media reported. Sri Lanka establishes diplomatic ties with Togo Colombo Page | 28th September The two nations signed an agreement on Sunday (27th September) under the United Nations charter and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations to establish diplomatic relations. Sri Lanka welcomes Nepal's adoption of new constitution Colombo Page | 28th September Sri Lanka's Foreign Affairs Ministry said in a statement "The Government and people of Sri Lanka join hands with the International Community to welcome the promulgation of the new Constitution of Nepal which is a key step in its journey towards national reconciliation, political stability and development." US Secretary of State calls on Sri Lankan President Colombo Page | 28th September The United States Secretary of State John Kerry called on Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at United Nations Headquarters in New York Sunday (27), President's Media Division said. Australian envoy says no change in policy Colombo Gazette | 28th September Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie says the Australian Government’s policy against maritime people smuggling is clear and unchanged – the way to Australia is closed.

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