US asst secy Sison in city

US Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs Michele J Sison arrived in Dhaka yesterday on a two-day visit as part of her tri-nation official tour.

She is likely to seek Bangladesh's support for Doreen Bogdan-Martin, a candidate for the post of secretary-general, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), said a diplomatic source.

The Russian Federation has nominated Rashid Ismailov as a candidate for the post.

The elections will be held during the Plenipotentiary Conference in Bucharest from September 26-October 14.

If elected, Bogdan-Martin would be the first woman to serve as ITU secretary-general in the organisation's 156 years of existence.

Bogdan-Martin has an "unmatched record" of bringing the needs and ambitions of the developing world to the fore, Sison tweeted during her visit to India.

Bangladesh and the US will "further follow up" the discussions that the two countries had over the last few months during her visit to Bangladesh.

Dhaka's demand for withdrawal of sanctions on Rab and the Rohingya issue are also expected to be discussed during the visit.

The US assistant secretary has already visited India. She will go to Kuwait as part of her tri-nation visit from August 2-10.

During her stay in Bangladesh, Sison will have consultations on a range of US multilateral priorities, including combating food insecurity, advancing global health, addressing human rights and humanitarian needs, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, and support for Rohingya refugees.