Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus's visit to China, Thailand and Japan comes on

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is likely to visit China, Thailand and Japan respectively in March, April and May as part of his global outreach and strengthening ties and building stronger relationships across countries through cooperation and partnerships, officials said.

Dr Yunus is likely to leave Dhaka on March 26 for China after attending the Independence Day programme as both the countries are looking forward to a bilateral meeting on March 28 in Beijing between the two leaders Dr Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On August 25 last year, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed the Chinese leadership's invitation to Dr Yunus to visit China at his convenience.

“The visit is taking place, as of now. Chief Adviser Dr Yunus is likely to leave Dhaka on March 26,” a senior official told, noting that preparations are underway.

Dr Yunus is likely to travel to Beijing from China's Hainan Province for bilateral talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 28, officials working on the visit said, adding that things are yet to be finalized.

As per the plans, the Chief Adviser will first attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 which will be held from March 25 to 28 in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.

BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said with the theme "Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future," this year's event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation.

He said the theme is intended to reinvigorate multilateralism, promote openness and development, jointly respond to global challenges, and carry out the commitments of the UN Summit of the Future while focusing on the development of Asia.

Many heads of international and regional organizations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference, Zhang said.

He said the event will focus on four subject areas: building trust and promoting cooperation in a fast-changing world; re-balancing globalization for inclusive development; accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals for more effective responses to global challenges; and strengthening AI application and governance for innovation-driven development.

Possible Yunus-Modi Meet in Bangkok

Thailand will host the 6th Summit of BIMSTEC in Bangkok and Bangladesh will take responsibility as its next chair on April 4. Before the Summit, there will be a ministerial meeting on April 3.

The Chief Adviser is likely to attend the Summit and there is a possibility to see a first-ever in-person meeting between Dr Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Summit, a diplomatic source told.

Talks with Japan

In February this year, Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ikuina Akiko invited Chief Adviser Prof Yunus to visit Japan for the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event to be held on May 29-30 in Tokyo.

She also invited Dr Yunus, a recipient of the Nikkei Asia Prize in 2004, for Osaka Expo 2025, a separate event, to be held in May.

Officials said the Chief Adviser will attend the Nikkei 30th Future of Asia event and both sides are working to arrange a bilateral meeting between Dr Yunus and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.