Desk Report, 15 December:
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves here for Davos tonight on a five-day official visit to Switzerland to attend the 47th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The four-day meeting kicks off on January 17 in Davos, a mountain resort at Graubnden in the eastern Alps region of Switzerland, under the theme “Responsive and Responsible Leadership”. BSS
An Eitihad Airways flight carrying the premier and her entourage members will leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9:45 tonight.
The flight is scheduled to reach Zurich International Airport at 6:45am local time tomorrow. Bangladesh Ambassador to Switzerland and Permanent Representative to the UN Offices Shameem Ahsan will receive the prime minister at the airport.
From the airport, the premier in a ceremonial motorcade would be escorted to Silvretta Parkhotel, where she will be staying during her visit to Switzerland.
On her way to Davos, Sheikh Hasina would make about one hour and 20 minute stopover at Abu Dhabi International Airport in the UAE.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS that during her stay in Davos, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend a number of events of the World Economic Forum and hold talks with WEF Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab.
On the sidelines of the forum, Sheikh Hasina is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with leaders of different countries.
On January 17, the prime minister will attend the opening plenary of the World Economic Forum at the Congress Centre in Davos. Before the inauguration of the plenary, WEF Executive Chairman Klaus Schwann will call on Sheikh Hasina.
The Bangladesh prime minister will also join a workshop titled “Shaping a New Water Economy” at the same venue on that day.
In the afternoon, Sheikh Hasina will attend an interactive session on “Harnessing Regional Cooperation in South Asia” at the Congress Centre.
On January 18, the premier will take part in an event titled “Worlds Underwater” as well as the plenary session on “Leading the Fight against Climate Change”.
On January 19, she will attend an interactive session titled “Informal Gathering of the World Economic Leaders: Responsive and Responsible Leadership in a Multipolar World”.
Besides, the premier will attend an event titled “Women Leaders Dinner: New Frontiers of Leadership” to be held at Schatzalp of Davos-Klosters in the evening the same day.
Concluding her five-day tour, the prime minister will leave Zurich International Airport for Dhaka at 2.35pm on January 20 and is expected to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 10:15 am on January 21 via Dubai.
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Junaid Ahmed Palak and high-level government officials will accompany the prime minister during her visit.
Heads of state and government of 45 countries including Sweden, Canada, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Peru, Jordan, Egypt and Qatar will join the WEF meeting along with heads of different international bodies like WTO, UNESCO, UNDP, UNCTAD, World Bank, IMF and ADB.
Highlighting the importance of this year’s WEF meeting, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Saturday said the meeting marks an “special significance” in regard to world peace and security under the perspective of present global political polarization.
“The meeting will discuss issues relating to trade, commerce, development and security at global and regional levels,” he told a press conference.
Ali said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join various plenary sessions of the meeting on water economy, sustainable development, regional cooperation, women leadership and their empowerment.
