Commonwealth Secretary-General to make first official visit to Bangladesh
Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey will make her first official visit to Bangladesh from 20–24 November 2025. Her visit comes at a politically sensitive time, with Bangladesh navigating a transition under the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
During her stay in Dhaka, Botchwey is set to meet senior members of the interim administration, leaders of major political parties, the Chief Election Commissioner, and diplomatic representatives. The meetings aim to assess the country’s political environment and deepen cooperation at a moment when calls for peaceful elections, institutional reform and stronger democratic practices are growing both domestically and internationally.
The Commonwealth is expected to discuss its expanding engagement with Bangladesh, focusing on governance, election preparedness, civic participation, and long-term development goals. Botchwey will also share details of the Commonwealth’s newly adopted Strategic Plan, which identifies democracy as one of its three central pillars, and seek feedback on how the organisation can better support Bangladesh’s national priorities.
In a statement ahead of her visit, Botchwey praised Bangladesh as a long-standing and valued Commonwealth member, recalling that it was the first intergovernmental organisation the country joined after independence. She emphasised the importance of credible elections and reaffirmed the Commonwealth’s commitment to assisting the Bangladeshi people as they prepare to vote.
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