US charge d’Affaires Tracy Ann Jacobson convened a discussion with the National Consensus Commission on Tuesday to review the trajectory of institutional reforms and to deliberate on preparations for the forthcoming national elections.
The authoritative dialogue occurred at Jacobson’s residence in Gulshan, and was attended by Vice Chair Professor Ali Riaz, Monir Haider, the chief adviser’s special assistant and a commission delegate, and Eric Gillan, the embassy’s political counsellor.
Professor Riaz stated that the dialogue traversed ongoing state enhancements, the commission’s national charter, and the critical importance of sustained inter-party dialogue. “The embassy invited us to report on reform momentum,” he remarked to reporters following the discussion.
Professor Badiul Alam Majumdar, a member of the commission, agreed that the main topic was how the reforms were going. He kept things general, explaining that this was just one step in a wider effort to talk with everyone involved ahead of the election.
The gathering constituted a continuation of the Washington-Area mission’s strategic engagements with Bangladesh’s political spectrum. During the preceding forty-eight hours, Jacobson has additionally conferred with representatives of the National Citizen Party and Islami Andolan.
The National Consensus Commission, constituted to cultivate broad agreement on fundamental governance matters, continues to refine recommendations for political and institutional reform.
The extent to which its formulated agenda will translate into binding action prior to the forthcoming election period is presently indeterminate.
