European Union in Bangladesh

Our Ambassador, Michael, visited the impressive Tarango this week. This social enterprise creates economic opportunity for women, mostly in home-based businesses using exclusively natural materials and dyes and also offers refuge from domestic violence to women and girls. Impressive to see.
Full disclosure: Michael’s wife volunteers here.

Inclusive elections and economies were at the heart of our discussion with UN Women’s deputy Executive Director Gumbonzvanda last week in Dhaka.

The EU is prioritising gender equality across all of its work, walking this path with the Government, Bangladesh’s civil society and specialised UN Agencies.

For more : https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/gender-equality_en

European Commission European External Action Service - EEAS UN Women Bangladesh

Commercial justice is economic infrastructure.

At the recent BIAC–UNDP seminar on Bangladesh’s Commercial Courts Act 2026 and reform of the Arbitration Act 2001, the EU joined the Law Minister, UNDP, BIDA, judges, legal practitioners, business representatives and international partners to discuss reforms that can strengthen contract enforcement, investor confidence and the business climate.

As Ambassador Michael Miller underlined, commercial courts send a powerful signal: contracts matter, institutions work, and economic opportunity is protected by the rule of law.

United Nations Development Programme in Bangladesh European External Action Service - EEAS

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Election observation always results in constructive recommendations. 📋

This week in Dhaka, , citizen election observer organisations and election officials came together for a structured dialogue on lessons learned and future improvements. 🤝

💬 Over two days, in a workshop facilitated by EPD and the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC), they shared what they observed, what worked, what didn’t, and how future elections can do better.

From observer accreditation and coordination to election administration, polling day operations, and accessibility and inclusion, the conversation was practical, evidence-based, and forward-looking.

The dialogue will continue in July 2026 as part of the ongoing efforts to support electoral reforms through the EU-funded project AHEAD Bangladesh.

More about the project 🌐 https://epd.eu/what-we-do/programmes/ahead-bangladesh/

European Union in Bangladesh Bangladesh Election Commission Secretariat

The EU Ambassador to Bangladesh this week hosted a networking event with ECHO DDG Hans Das, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Clements and WFP Deputy Regional Director Dagash-Kamara to round off an intensive high-level visit with partners to Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar.

In a globally shifting humanitarian landscape, the EU–UN partnership is delivering support to vulnerable communities and seeking to build greater self-reliance.

European External Action Service - EEAS UNHCR in Bangladesh World Food Programme

🇪🇺 The EU supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities: as citizens, students, workers, advocates, leaders and decision-makers.

We welcome the launch of the Disability Inclusive Civic Engagement intervention – DICE - under the Nagorikata Civic Engagement Fund. DICE is promoting skills development, employment opportunities, advocacy and active civic engagement, with a focus on young persons with disabilities in Narsingdi, Manikganj and Gazipur

Through EU support to the Nagorikata Civic Engagement Fund, together with Switzerland and Canada, we are working with Bangladesh to ensure no one is left behind.

DICE is implemented by the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), the Centre for Services and Information on Disability (CSID) and the Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN).

The EU is supporting Bangladesh to build a safe and smart energy infrastructure. Learn more about the latest training delivered in coordination with the Chittagong Port Authority, to strengthen operational communication and information-sharing between LNG operators and Bangladesh's port and maritime authorities.

Connecting energy infrastructure operations with maritime coordination.

Last week, EU CRIMARIO delivered training to Excelerate Energy (NYSE: EE) vessel crews, supporting a port‑focused pilot involving one of Excelerate’s floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) operating in coordination with CHITTAGONG PORT AUTHORITY in .

The pilot focused on strengthening operational communication and information‑sharing between an LNG import terminal and local port stakeholders, using the IORIS platform in a live port environment.

🌍Why this matters
LNG infrastructure providers are no longer niche operators; they play an increasingly important role in global energy security. By delivering reliable regasification solutions, such as FSRUs and integrated terminals, they help countries enhance energy security, often through strategic partnerships with sovereign and national energy systems. Digital tools support these operations by strengthening coordination with port authorities and improving situational awareness and information exchange during routine port activities.

Infrastructure alone is not enough.
Effective port operations rely on strong, real‑time coordination between LNG operators and local port and maritime authorities. This requires clear communication channels, trusted information‑sharing, and alignment with established port processes to support safe and efficient day‑to‑day operations.

This is where adds value.

This pilot demonstrates how IORIS can serve as a secure digital bridge between LNG operators and national port and maritime authorities by supporting:
🔹 Real‑time operational coordination in complex port environments
🔹 Secure, sovereign data exchange between operators and authorities
🔹 Improved operational efficiency and port‑level maritime security coordination

This initiative forms part of EU CRIMARIO’s broader pilot programme exploring how digital platforms can support maritime and port‑level coordination in support of critical infrastructure operations.

Excelerate Energy participated in the pilot as an operator, supporting crew training and standard operational interfaces with port authorities.

European Union in Bangladesh Bangladesh Coast Guard Bangladesh Navy Chittagong Port Authority

Affordable, clean and secure energy is at the core of our work to deepen the EU Bangladesh partnership. This was an important meeting with the Energy Minister H.E. Iqbal Hassan Mahmood and State Minister H.E. Anindya Islam Amit. EU financing is in place and two PV investment projects are advancing well. In July, we launch work on regional energy connectivity, building on European experience. Detailed policy input and financing for smart grids and private sector upgrades rounds off the picture 🇪🇺🤝🇧🇩
Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources, Bangladesh
European External Action Service - EEAS

Constructive discussion between Commerce Minister Muktadir and EU Ambassador Miller, addressing how to further strengthen the trade and investment partnership - from removing trade irritants to completing labour sector reform. Preparing for a bright future!