Diplomatic Desk:
The 128th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day was celebrated with a grand diplomatic reception at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Monday (June 15, 2026). The event was organized by the Embassy of the Philippines in Bangladesh, led by Nina P. Cainglet, who is posted in Bangladesh.
The event was attended by the Bangladesh government, diplomatic corps, business community, academics, religious representatives, media personnel, and members of the Filipino community living in Bangladesh. The event is considered an important diplomatic platform to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between the two countries.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam was present as the chief guest of the event. He highlighted the long-standing diplomatic relations, mutual cooperation, and future prospects of Bangladesh and the Philippines.
Ambassador Nina P. In his speech, Keynglet said that the Philippines has always believed in sovereign equality, human rights, peaceful coexistence and a rules-based international system. He praised Bangladesh’s development progress and said that the relationship between the two countries is now moving towards more pragmatic and result-oriented cooperation.
He also mentioned that bilateral relations have gained new momentum in the past one year. Especially maritime cooperation, nursing education and skills development, and mutual recognition agreements in the shipping sector have given a new dimension to the partnership between the two countries.
He also said that a Filipino industrial group has started production activities in Gazipur, which is a positive example of economic cooperation.
State Minister Shama Obaed Islam said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, Bangladesh and the Philippines have been moving forward on the basis of mutual respect and common interests.
He said, “Bangladesh is now on a new path of progress, where the potential of the youth, job creation and human resource development are getting priority.”
He further mentioned that as two countries at risk from climate change, Bangladesh and the Philippines are working together on disaster management, climate resilience and global cooperation.
It was informed at the event that the recent Bangladesh-Philippines Foreign Policy Consultation has further advanced the relations between the two countries. Through this, new areas of cooperation have been opened in trade, investment, education, technology, health, culture and migration management.
Both countries expressed their interest in increasing ASEAN and regional economic ties as well as building a closer partnership in the future.
At the end of the event, the commitment to make the relations between the two countries stronger, more pragmatic and people-centered in the future was reiterated. The diplomatic reception was considered a shining example of Bangladesh-Philippines friendship.
