Latest news with #CouncilofAdvisers
RTHK
12-07-2025
- Business
- RTHK
John Lee meets council of advisers for policy insights
John Lee meets council of advisers for policy insights The Chief Executive's Council of Advisers, chaired by the Chief Executive John Lee held luncheon meetings from July 9 to 11. Photo courtesy of Information Services Department Chief Executive John Lee met with members of his Council of Advisers (CECA) this week to gather crucial insights for his forthcoming Policy Address. The discussions took place over a series of luncheon meetings held from July 9 to 11. Focusing on Hong Kong's future, the council explored strategies for economic advancement and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship as well as regional and global collaborations. Key topics included ways to consolidate the SAR's position as an international financial, shipping and trade centre amidst ongoing geopolitical shifts and economic restructuring. They also examined how to promote the transformation of traditional industries, attract top talent to bolster the innovation and technology sector and expedite the development of the Northern Metropolis. Furthermore, discussions centred on leveraging opportunities arising from the mainland and deepening exchanges while strengthening ties with Belt and Road countries and emerging markets, such as those in the Middle East. This meeting marked the first gathering for the new term of CECA members, a body chaired by Lee. He said members of the council are all distinguished and eminent leaders in their respective fields or internationally renowned scholars, experts or entrepreneurs. He specifically welcomed three new members Zhu Min, who served as the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund and the Deputy Governor of the People's Bank of China, Han Bicheng, founder of Hangzhou "Six Little Dragons" enterprise BrainCo and Wang Xingxing, founder of Hangzhou "Six Little Dragons" enterprise Unitree Robotics. "During the meeting, they emphasised that Hong Kong is bestowed with its unique advantages of connecting with both the mainland and the world, excellent education and research capabilities, and advantageous geographical location, and it is also an international financial centre with free flow of capital," Lee said in a statement. "These advantages would greatly attract mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong and use Hong Kong as the gateway to go global." The meetings were also attended by senior officials including Chief Secretary Eric Chan, Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong, Acting Secretary for Justice Horace Cheung, Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip and Head of the Chief Executive's Policy Unit Stephen Wong. These consultations form a key part of preparation for Lee's fourth Policy Address, which he is scheduled to deliver this September. Public consultation for the Policy Address began on June 16.
Mint
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Muhammad Yunus rules out role in next Bangladesh govt, recalls seeking PM Modi's help to curb Hasina's remarks
Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday, June 11, ruled out his role in the next Bangladesh government after 2026 elections, the first since a mass uprising overthrew the government. Speaking in London, Muhammad Yunus, asked if he himself was seeking any political post, the 84-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner said there was 'no way', waving his hands in the air for emphasis. 'No way, no way. I think no one of our cabinet members (Council of Advisers) would like to do that,' he said, adding, 'Our job is to make sure that the transition is managed well, and that people are happy when we hand over power to the elected government.' 'So we want to make sure that the election is right, that is a very critical factor for us. If the election is wrong, this thing will never be solved again.' Muhammad Yunus also recalled the time when he sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's help in stopping former PM Sheikh Hasina from making political statements. Ousted on August 5 last year after a massive student-led agitation, Sheikh Hasina faces multiple cases in Bangladesh. She fled Bangladesh and landed in India after the massive uprising that saw hundreds storming her official residence. Since Muhammad Yunus took over, the interim government has been trying to extradite Sheikh Hasina from India. 'This will continue, another stage has come, now there is a case. The International Crimes Tribunal has started the trial process; they sent notices to Hasina for all the crimes she has committed. So, they have to respond to the notices,' he said. 'This is a legal notice, so we have to go to the Interpol and all the other things that happen through that. This is the process that we are following; we want it to be very legal, very proper.' Muhammad Yunus said he sought PM Modi's help when the two held a bilateral meeting at Bimstec Summit in Bangkok in April 2025. He said, 'When I had a chance to talk to Prime Minister Modi, I simply said you want to host her, I cannot force you to abandon that policy. But please help us in making sure she doesn't speak to Bangladeshi people the way she is doing.' 'She announces on such and such day and at such and such hour she will speak, and the whole of Bangladesh gets very angry,' he added.
NDTV
12-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"No Way": Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus Says He Won't Be Part Of Next Government
Dhaka: Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said he would not be interested in being part of the next elected government, according to a media report. The 84-year-old Nobel Laureate, who took over as the head of the interim government in August last year after the ouster of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina, announced last week that national elections will be held by the first half of April 2026. Yunus, during a question-and-answer session at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House, London, said that the interim government's job was to ensure a well-managed transition to hand over power to an elected government, state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha reported. "No way, no way. I think no one of our cabinet members (Council of Advisers) would like to do that," he said, responding to a question whether he has any desire to become part of the next democratically elected government. "We want to make sure that the election is right. This is a very critical factor for us," he said. Replying to another question about Hasina's Awami League, Yunus said there is a debate over whether the party can truly be called a political party when it is accused of killing young people, making citizens disappear and stealing public money. Ousted on August 5 last year after a massive student-led agitation, Hasina faces multiple cases in Bangladesh. Yunus, who is in the UK from June 10-13, will meet King Charles and Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit. Earlier, former prime minister Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said people are "disappointed" by Yunus's announcement to hold elections in April 2026. The party reiterated its demand for polls by December this year.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bangladesh interim chief Yunus not interested in being part of new elected govt
Bangladesh's interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday said that he would not be interested in being part of the next elected government, reported news agency PTI. 84-year-old Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus took over the government in August, 2024, after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Yunus announced last week that national elections will be held by the first half of April 2026. Also Read: Bangladesh to hold elections in April 2026, announces interim leader Muhammad Yunus "No way, no way. I think no one of our cabinet members (Council of Advisers) would like to do that," he said, in response to a question on whether he has any desire to become part of the next democratically elected government. During the session at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in Chatham House, London, he added, 'We want to make sure that the election is right. This is a very critical factor for us." Also Read: 'Spirit of mutual respect': What Bangladesh's Yunus said in reply to PM Modi's Eid greetings Yunus also questioned whether Sheikh Hasina's Awami League qualified as a political party when they were accused of killing young people, causing disappearances and stealing public money. Saddam Hussain, President of the Bangladesh Students League, the student wing of the Awami League, called the announcement of the national elections a 'state-sponsored drama.' Also Read: Bangladesh minister says Muhammad Yunus not going to step down: 'He doesn't hanker after power' 'The elections are not the priority of this government. This is just a state-sponsored drama. They will use this for their own purpose. They banned the Bangladesh Awami League. The people of Bangladesh are waiting for a democratic representative to govern the country,' he said. He added, 'The present government has no control over the law and order situation. For restoring democracy in Bangladesh, we have no other option than the removal of this current fascist regime. Muhammad Yunus is using the state machinery for his own personal agenda."
The Hindu
06-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bangladesh's Yunus announces elections to be held in first half of April 2026
Bangladesh's national elections will be held in the first half of April 2026, the country's interim leader Muhammad Yunus, said on Friday (June 6, 2025). "The Election Commission will provide you with a detailed roadmap for the elections at an appropriate time," said Nobel peace laureate Yunus, who took over as interim head of the South Asian nation of 173 million last August after a student-led uprising forced then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India. The announcement also comes in light of the recent reported tensions between Mr. Yunus and the country's Army Chief Waker Uz Zaman. The Army Chief had reportedly expressed unhappiness over the functioning of the interim government and said, 'Elections must be held by December and that only an elected government should determine the nation's course and not an unelected administration'. Mr. Yunus, however, in an unscheduled meeting of the Council of Advisers of the interim administration had said that under the present circumstances only a 'controlled election' can be held and that fully transparent election is not possible by December this year.
