About DCAB
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh is a professional forum of journalists based in Dhaka who cover foreign affairs; follow bilateral, regional and global issues. The DCAB members also follow the activities of the international agencies; and diplomatic missions at home and abroad.
Since its inception on March 16 in 1998, the DCAB has grown up with its diversified activities and today it is regarded as a very vibrant professional platform of diplomatic correspondents. With more than 23-year of presence, today the DCAB has emerged as an organization of professional excellence. DCAB members have been eyewitnesses to history across Asia and beyond bringing the stories of growing Bangladesh to the world in words and pictures.
2 DCAB TALK: Our Signature Program
Since the very beginning, DCAB has been organizing various programs in partnership with the ministry of foreign affairs, diplomatic missions stationed in Dhaka and abroad, and other international organizations with much focus on Bangladesh’s relations with the external world. “DCAB Talk” remains the most popular program where DCAB members get the opportunity to interact with the foreign envoys on contemporary bilateral, regional and global issues.
3 “DCAB Talk” 2021 with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh
In his third annual talk to DCAB members, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson emphasised the need for urgent climate action and the UK’s commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh.
The High Commissioner thanked the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) for inviting him back for what was his third in this series of talks. He was glad to be able to attend in person and was glad that normal business was starting to resume due to the improving Covid situation.
“Graduation is a milestone not a finishing line. We will continue to work with Bangladesh to achieve a smooth and successful graduation. We have also decided to provide continued duty-free, quota-free access to the UK market for three years after graduation, to 2029,” said the British diplomat.
4 First “DCAB Talk” with any Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer has said his country greatly respects independent foreign policy of Bangladesh towards its engagement in various global initiatives noting that Australia never asks anybody to make a choice.
“We welcome that approach. We greatly respect Bangladesh’s independent Foreign Policy approach. We would never ask anybody to make a choice,” he said recalling the foreign policy established by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – Friendship to all, malice to none.
The High Commissioner made the remarks while responding to questions at “DCAB Talk” held virtually and organized by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) highlighting issues related to regional geopolitics. Issues related to Quad (Australia, India, Japan and the US), China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) came up at the event apart from bilateral and Rohingya issues. DCAB President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke.
5 “DCAB Talk” with UNRC
UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo has said it is a “shared responsibility” of the international community to make sure that the Rohingya crisis is not a forgotten crisis as the world faces more crises.
“Making sure that the Rohingya crisis doesn’t become a forgotten crisis is a shared responsibility. Obviously, the government of Bangladesh through its foreign policy is doing a lot to make sure that the crisis is not forgotten,” said the UN official while responding to questions at an event titled “DCAB Talk.”
She recognised that Bangladesh has played a critical role in a “defining tragedy” of their time despite challenges of its own and mentioned that they are at the final stage to begin its operations at Bhasan Char to support the Rohingyas and the massive efforts of the government of Bangladesh.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) arranged the “DCAB Talk” at the Foreign Service Academy. DCAB President Pantho Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke.