Dhaka, Washington agree to fight terrorism, extremism
Dhaka and Washington have expressed deep commitment in continuing to cooperate to counter terrorist financing and violent extremism.
The US embassy in Dhaka and the State Department, in collaboration with the Bangladesh government, will host a South Asia regional workshop in December to focus on best practices to counter terrorist financing and extremism.
It will be held as a part of the globally recognised Financial Action Task Force (FATF) framework, according to a joint statement issued on conclusion of the two-day Third US-Bangladesh Partnership Dialogue at the State Department in Washington DC on October 29.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque led a nine-member delegation at the dialogue, and the US Delegation was led by US Under-Secretary of State for Political Affairs Wendy Sherman.
The US acknowledged the presence of a vibrant civil society in Bangladesh, and both nations discussed ways to protect the important work of civil society along with broader citizens' rights and fundamental freedom.
Both sides agreed to continue working together to address outstanding needs to safeguard labour rights and workers' health and safety, and continue to work to reauthorize Bangladesh's Generalized System of Preferences benefit at the earliest opportunity.
The US is committed to supporting Bangladesh's ongoing efforts to combat the trafficking of its citizens, especially in overseas labour markets.
Recognizing Bangladesh's progress in reducing maternal mortality and poverty, and increasing access to primary education for girls, the two delegations agreed to focus on challenges facing adolescent girls, including girls' access to secondary education and the prevention of, and response to, early and forced marriage.
The two countries will seek to inspire youths to address today's challenges and to advocate for positive change. Both countries also intend to expand people-to-people ties by exploring ways to increase professional, academic, and educational exchanges and expand linkages between educational institutions, said the statement.
The two sides agreed to schedule a visit by Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali to the United States at the earliest opportunity, and agreed to hold the fourth Partnership Dialogue in Dhaka in 2015.
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