Humayun Kobir to attend C’wealth meeting as acting FM

DHAKA, October 25: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kobir will lead Bangladesh’s delegation to the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) as Acting Foreign Minister.

The government has granted Kobir full ministerial authority to lead the delegation and perform the duties of the foreign minister during the high-level gathering, according to an official notification issued on Sunday.

The summit will be held in Antigua and Barbuda from November 1 to 4, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The notification, signed by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, said Kobir had been given authority equivalent to that of a full cabinet minister under Clause 4(3) of the Rules of Business, 1996, specifically for the meeting.

Kobir will represent Bangladesh at the summit in place of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The decision comes as State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam is on a five-day official visit to Spain and the United Kingdom to strengthen bilateral relations and explore opportunities for cooperation in trade, investment, tourism, skills development and cultural exchange.