Final meeting of National Consensus Commission held; recommendations to be submitted Tuesday
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The National Consensus Commission will submit its long-awaited recommendations to the government on the implementation of the July National Charter—a reform blueprint born out of last year’s historic people’s uprising.
The formal handover will take place at 12 noon on Tuesday at the state guesthouse Jamuna, in the presence of members of the Advisory Council, said a spokesman of the CA after the final meeting of the Commission.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting.
Among those present were Commission Vice-Chair Professor Ali Riaz, members Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Dr. Md. Ayub Miah, and the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haidar.
While wrapping up the meeting, Professor Yunus underscored the importance of preserving all records, documents, and media materials related to the Commission’s work—from its inception to its final recommendations.
“These are invaluable national assets,” said the Chief Adviser. “As a nation, we must document the context and process through which we reached our decisions. Every meeting, every exchange of letters, every televised discussion—all must be systematically preserved and made accessible. These are living documents of history. Future generations, researchers, and policymakers will draw lessons from them. The story of our democratic rebirth must not fade with time.”
Expressing gratitude to political parties, civil servants, researchers, and journalists who supported the process, Professor Yunus praised the Commission’s role in guiding Bangladesh toward a more accountable state structure.
Commission Vice-Chair Professor Ali Riaz described the initiative as “a foundational step in building a permanent, accountable state in Bangladesh.”
“The recommendations on implementing the July National Charter were finalised after extensive discussions with political parties, jurists, academics, and members of civil society,” he said.
He noted that one of the core mandates of the interim government formed after the July 2024 People’s Uprising was structural reform—alongside justice and elections.
“Despite differences, there was a shared desire among political parties for genuine reform,” Riaz said. “They showed patience, commitment, and cooperation throughout the dialogue process. The Commission has now completed its task, but as citizens, we remain ready to assist the government if needed.”
Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Election Reform Commission and a member of the Consensus Commission, urged the government to show “focus and courage” in implementing the July Charter.
“Too many lives were lost in the uprising. We owe it to those who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that the reforms are not lost to inertia,” he said.
Justice Md. Emdadul Haque reflected that the spirit of unity among political forces during the uprising was also evident in the Commission’s deliberations: “That same sincerity must continue into implementation.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, chair of the Anti-Corruption Reform Commission and a member of the Consensus Commission, called for simultaneous and bold reform of the Anti-Corruption Commission alongside implementation of the July Charter.
With its mandate expiring on 31 October, the Commission’s work marks the culmination of months of nationwide consultations—an exercise many have hailed as Bangladesh’s most inclusive political dialogue in decades.