London, June 14 — Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus left here for home, wrapping up his four-day official visit that witnessed a series of meetings highlighting broader and deeper Dhaka-London relations.
Prof Yunus and his small entourage departed from Heathrow (LHR) Airport, London by a commercial flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines at 7:15 pm (London time), Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Abida Islam saw him off at the airport.
The Chief Adviser is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 9am on Saturday.
Prof Yunus arrived in London on Tuesday, beginning his four-day official visit to renew their bilateral ties with the United Kingdom, with an increased focus on economic cooperation, trade and investment.
Nobel Laureate Prof Yunus received the “King Charles III Harmony Award” at the St James Palace on Thursday.
Receiving the award, he said it is a fantastic way to project what they stand for and it will inspire young people in Bangladesh “to create a country they dream about.”
The award recognises Prof Yunus’ “unique contribution to ensuring harmonious coexistence between people, nature and the environment, bringing about positive changes in the lives of the marginalised communities and building a peaceful, harmonious and sustainable world.”
“It is a wonderful prize,” the Chief Adviser said, thanking His Majesty for standing by Bangladesh during this pivotal period in the country’s history.
“This is a recognition of the work we have done to uplift vulnerable communities and reflect the values His Majesty The King also champions,” the Chief Adviser said while receiving the award.
The King Charles III Harmony Award is awarded to an individual to recognize long-term outstanding commitment to and support for His Majesty’s Harmony philosophy, which looks to prioritise sustainability and nature across all sectors.
Prof Yunus has spent his life promoting social business principles and encouraging sustainable, socially responsible projects, having a significant impact on poverty alleviation in Bangladesh and beyond, according to the King’s Foundation.
Ahead of the Award Ceremony, His Majesty King Charles welcomed the Chief Adviser for a private audience at the Buckingham Palace.
During the half an hour long one-on-one meeting, they discussed issues of mutual interests, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary.
Regarding the prestigious ‘Harmony Award’ by the King Charles III, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said it is a rare honour for Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and big honor for the people of Bangladesh.
In June 2024, King Charles launched a new set of awards celebrating living in harmony with nature.
The British monarch is an admirer of Prof Yunus’ work, including his pioneering microcredit bank, his championing social businesses to combat poverty, and his campaign for Three Zeroes to save civilisation from self-destruction, Alam said.
King Charles even wrote a foreword for one of Prof Yunus’ books, he said.
Prof Yunus also had a meeting with BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman and discussed the roadmap for the next general election in Bangladesh.
