He said this in response to journalists' questions at an event organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at a hotel in the capital on Saturday (August 22).

Shama Obaed said, as Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has been elected president of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), he will remain very busy for the next one year. Therefore, the two state ministers will work as a team to run the ministry's work quickly and effectively.

He said that in the last six months, more work has been completed in the foreign ministry than in any period of the previous 17 years. Several new wings have been launched during this time, and initiatives have been taken to stop migration and illegal migration. In addition, an inter-ministerial focal point committee has been formed with the ministries of expatriates' welfare, culture, labour and commerce.

Regarding joining any multilateral organisation or alliance, he said Bangladesh's national interest and the interests of its people will be given the highest importance in taking decisions. He also said that if any such decision is taken, the country's media will be the first to know.