Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has called upon expatriate Bangladeshis to actively contribute to the nation’s rebuilding efforts.

The dream of change that emerged from the July mass uprising can only be realized if expatriate Bangladeshis play their vital role according to their abilities, he said.

He made the call at an event titled “NRB Connect Day: Empowering Global Bangladeshis” in New York on Saturday, reports BSS.

Nobel laureate Yunus said everyone will have a role in building the country. “We will no longer remain spectators in the gallery. The time for watching from the stands is over; now we will be on the field ourselves.”

The event was also attended by political leaders from Bangladesh who are accompanying the Chief Adviser to the ongoing 80th UN General Assembly. Expressing gratitude to them, Yunus said, “Their presence in this tour has given us great confidence.”

The programme began with a presentation by Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). He highlighted the country’s economic progress in the 15 months following the July uprising, noting a remittance growth of over 21 percent and expressing gratitude to expatriates for their contribution.

An interactive panel discussion titled “Bridging Borders: Current Affairs and Diaspora Engagement” was also held, moderated by the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi. Among the panelists were Adviser for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Asif Nazrul and others.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, and NCP Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain also shared their perspectives on the post-uprising political scenario in emotional speeches.

Another panel discussion, “Shaping Tomorrow: The Future of Bangladesh,” was moderated by National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman. The session featured NCP leader Tasnim Jara, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, and Jamaat leader Nakibur Rahman as panelists.

At the event, the Chief Adviser also launched the “Shubheccha” mobile app, designed to provide expatriates with essential services, guidance, and investment opportunities.