Diplomatic Correspondent: Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria is set to arrive in Bangladesh on Monday for a four-day visit, serving as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) goodwill ambassador. This marks her first visit to Bangladesh in her capacity as a UNDP ambassador and her second visit to the country overall.
According to separate statements from the Swedish Embassy and the UNDP, Princess Victoria’s visit will focus on areas such as development initiatives, climate change, gender equality, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, and the role of private sector engagement in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh.
The UNDP announcement also revealed that accompanying Princess Victoria on her journey will be Sweden’s Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Johan Forssell.
During their visit, they are scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Additionally, they will hold discussions with senior government officials, young students and entrepreneurs, business leaders, and representatives from various UN agencies.
In addition to visiting Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps and witnessing the relocation of Rohingyas to Bhasan Char, Princess Victoria is also expected to visit the coastal upazila of Koyra in Khulna, which is closely associated with the Sundarbans mangrove forest.
According to information provided by the Swedish Embassy and the UNDP in Dhaka, Princess Victoria’s appointment as a UNDP goodwill ambassador in 2023 marked her first visit to Bangladesh in this capacity, following her previous visit to the country in 2005.
This visit underscores the commitment of both Sweden and the UNDP to support Bangladesh’s development efforts and address the ongoing challenges faced by the country.