Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, Prof. Ali Riaz, emphasized on Monday that only through unity among political forces, democratic actors, and the general public can Bangladesh progress toward realizing a new vision for the country that aligns with the aspirations of its people.
Speaking at a dialogue with Gono Odhikar Parishad, Prof. Riaz stressed that reports and recommendations from various reform commissions alone would not be enough. He highlighted the importance of collective action from all political and democratic forces, alongside public support, to move the country forward.
“The unity of all political forces, democratic actors, and the people themselves is essential for advancing the country towards a new Bangladesh,” Prof. Riaz stated during the morning discussion, which took place at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
A nine-member delegation from Gono Odhikar Parishad, led by President Nurul Haque Nur, participated in the session. Prof. Riaz, who presided over the event, noted that the dialogue was part of a larger effort to fulfill the democratic aspirations that Bangladesh’s people have held for over five decades.
“This discussion is part of our collective effort to pave the way for realizing the democratic dreams of the people of Bangladesh, which have been cherished for 53 years, and to establish a truly democratic state,” he said.
Prof. Riaz called on all political and social groups to unite and seize the reform opportunities that have emerged, particularly following the July Mass Uprising. He emphasized the promising future created by the youth-led movement and urged all parties to join forces to turn that potential into reality.
Members of the Consensus Commission, including Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, were also present at the discussion, which was moderated by Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser.
The Consensus Commission, which began its series of talks with political parties on March 20, aims to build a national consensus on state reforms. To date, it has held discussions with 19 political parties, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Formed on February 15, 2025, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, the commission’s goal is to create a unified national stance on the critical reforms needed for Bangladesh’s future.
