Terming the student movement as a momentous event in his career that saw ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, outgoing Norwegian Ambassador in Dhaka Espen Rikter-Svendsen said that Bangladesh will overcome challenges under the prudent leadership of Professor Muhammad Yunus towards a democratic, prosperous, peaceful and inclusive Bangladesh.

Outgoing Norwegian Ambassador in Dhaka Espen Rikter-Svendsen has expressed this view while talking to this correspondent at the reception at his Gulshan residence on Thursday night.

Diplomats, members of civil society, development partners, politicians and a good number of youths attended the reception.

Sheikh Hasina, the longest serving dictatorial Prime Minister of Bangladesh, had to step down on August 5, 2024 amid massive student protest and took political shelter in neighboring India.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Norway Espen Barth Eide in his tweet said” The new interim government in #Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, will have a crucial and challenging task to prepare inclusive, free and fair elections and a democratic government.

It’s key to carry out impartial investigations into recent atrocities, and restore law and order.”

Espen Rikter-Svendsen wished Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the Advisory Council every success as Prof Yunus guides the nation through a "peaceful, just and democratic" transition, towards a more inclusive and prosperous future for all people of Bangladesh.

Reaffirming his government support towards the interim government in Bangladesh,  Espen Rikter-Svendsen expects that  Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will  carry out necessary reforms with a view to holding credible and transparent  parliament elections.

Terming the youths as the strength of Bangladesh, the Norwegian diplomat said that the world will see  a new Bangladesh based on pluralism, human rights, inclusiveness, democratic  values and transparency in the coming days.

"As a friend, I wish you well on every step along the way and cannot state enough my excitement as you take on this important role for your country," said Espen Rikter-Svendsen.

As the economy suffered a lot during the turmoil, Espen Rikter-Svendsen said Bangladesh will overcome the losses and get back on the right track to become a prosperous country under the prudent leader of Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Mohammad Yunus.

Referring to the meeting of foreign diplomats with Professor Dr Mohammad Yunus at the Hotel Intercontinental recently, Espen Rikter-Svendsen “When Professor Yunus speaks, he speaks to your heart. And today - when he addressed the diplomatic corps in Dhaka - was no exception.”

Ambassador Espen Rikter-Svendsen, together with other ambassadors, high commissioners and heads of UN agencies, attended Prof. Yunus' first meeting with the representatives of Bangladesh's international partners. In his speech, the now Chief Adviser of the Interim Government mourned the many hundreds of killed and thousands of injured in the recent uprising.

“He vowed to restore law and order and to ensure justice and accountability for all the killings and violence committed during the uprising. He welcomed the invitation to send an UN-led fact-finding mission to look into the many atrocities, said outgoing Norwegian Ambassador Espen Rikter-Svendsen

He also said that Professor Mohammad Yunus promised a free, fair and participatory election as soon as possible, following vital reforms in the election system, in the judiciary, civil administration, security forces and media. Sincere efforts would be made to promote national reconciliation, said Professor Yunus.

On the international scene Bangladesh will uphold and promote all international legal obligations, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The government of Bangladesh will adhere to all international, regional and bilateral instruments it is a party to, and Bangladesh will remain an active proponent of multilateralism, with the UN at the core.

Again and again Prof. Yunus referred to the young population of Bangladesh and said the valiant students and people deserve a lasting transformation of their nation. He expressed his hope that all friends of Bangladesh in the international community will stand by the government and the people in the efforts to create a new democratic future.

Meanwhile, the  Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed an agreement on August 22, 2024  at the embassy, extending the ongoing collaboration for a peaceful and inclusive Bangladesh.

Espen Rikter-Svendsen, Norway's Ambassador to Bangladesh, and Stefan Liller, UNDP Bangladesh's Resident Representative, signed the agreement, which will remain effective until 2025, on behalf of their respective organizations, a UNDP press release said.

Since 2021, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, UNDP has been implementing the "Partnerships for a More Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh" (PTIB) project. This initiative focuses on preventing hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation to build a more inclusive society in Bangladesh.

During the signing, Espen Rikter-Svendsen remarked: "The Partnerships for a Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB) project seeks to better understand the sources of violence, involve citizens in spreading positive messages of tolerance and inclusivity, and develop a coherent, context-specific strategy to promote tolerance, diversity and inclusivity.

Stefan Liller, in his remarks, stated, "Through our partnership with Norway, we have mobilised youth and civil society to foster greater tolerance, inclusivity, and diversity. With Norway's further support, we will continue to promote digital literacy nationwide as well as other issues that can contribute to Bangladesh achieving SDG Goal 16."

He thanked the Norwegian government for their continued support in promoting peace and tolerance in Bangladesh.

Among others, Marianne Rabe Kn'velsrud, Deputy Head of Mission; Morshed Ahmed, Senior Adviser, Royal Norwegian Embassy; and Sheela Tasneem Haq, Senior Governance Specialist; were present at the signing ceremony.