Former WTO DG Pascal Lamy in city

Former Director General of World Trade Organisation (WTO) Pascal Lamy arrived Dhaka on Saturday on a two-day visit.

Lamy, special envoy of the French government, is representing France to seek Bangladesh's support to host World Expo 2025.

Four countries are candidates to host the World Expo 2025 - France (in Greater Paris), Japan (in Osaka), the Russian Federation (in Ekaterinburg), and Azerbaijan (in Baku).

The 170 member states of BIE will elect the host country at the 164th General Assembly in November 2018.

Lamy will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister AKM Shajahan Kamal during his visit.

On the first day of his visit, Lamy  delivered a speech on the theme "Knowledge to Share, Planet to Care" in the city.

While delivering his speech, he highlighted issues of inequality, global development and collaborative activities between Bangladesh and France.

UNB says, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) hosted the public lecture. CPD Chairman Prof Rehman Sobhan, its Executive Director Dr Fahmida Khatun, CPD distinguished fellow Prof Mustafizur Rahman and Ambassador Muhammad Zamir, among others, addressed the programme..