Senior Correspondent, Dhaka:
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken an unusual administrative shape. Now it has one full minister and two state ministers sharing responsibility. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman will be assisted by State Ministers Humaiun Kobir and Shama Obaed Islam.
The arrangement is significant because the Foreign Affairs Ministry is the first ministry in Bangladesh to have two state ministers, serving alongside a full minister, according to recent reporting.
Humaiun Kobir, designated State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1, will focus on bilateral and multilateral affairs, matters concerning non-resident Bangladeshis, and other responsibilities assigned by the foreign minister. Shama Obaed Islam, as State Minister for Foreign Affairs-2, will oversee human rights, climate change, research and innovation, the creative economy, LDC graduation, ICT, maritime affairs, global health diplomacy, and cultural and sports diplomacy.
The structure appears designed to distribute a broad and increasingly complex foreign-policy workload. Bangladesh’s external engagement now extends beyond traditional diplomacy to areas such as climate, migration, technology, maritime resources, health and economic cooperation.
For Khalilur Rahman, who is also set to serve as president of the 81st UN General Assembly, the additional ministerial support could provide greater capacity for managing both bilateral priorities and a demanding multilateral agenda.
However, having three political figures operating within one ministry also creates a coordination challenge. Clear division of authority and consistent communication will be essential to avoid overlapping initiatives and ensure that Bangladesh speaks with one coherent foreign-policy voice.
