Hasina in Germany

The 53rd Munich Security Conference kicked off in Germany yesterday where over 500 decision-makers from across the world have gathered for discussions on major international security challenges.

The participants, including over 25 heads of state and government, 80 foreign and defence ministers, and strong delegations from the new US administration and from Congress, will discuss different critical security challenges.

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Chairman of the conference Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger formally opened the three-day meeting.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina along with other world leaders, including presidents of Poland and Afghanistan, prime minister of Norway as well as foreign ministers of Russia, China, the UK, Saudi Arabia and Iran, attended the opening session.

German Federal Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen and US Secretary of Defence James N Mattis delivered their opening statements.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, US Vice-president Mike Pence and UN Secretary-General António Guterres address the Munich audience this morning.

Outgoing German Federal President Joachim Gauck will be awarded with this year's Ewald von Kleist Award this evening.

The UN secretary general and representatives of other international organisations like NATO, EU, Green Peace and Transparency International are also joining the conference.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh prime minister along with participating leaders is scheduled to attend a reception to be hosted by the mayor of Munich yesterday evening.

She will also attend the panel discussion on "Climate Security: Good COP, Bad Cops" session today and will deliver her speech highlighting issues like climate change, water, food and migration.

On the day, Hasina will hold a bilateral meeting with Angela Merkel.