NEW YORK, Sept 27, 2024 (BSS)- Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday stressed the need for closer ties with the Maldives when he met Mohamed Muizzu, the president of the island nation, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York.

During the talks the two leaders discussed ways to expand trade, investment, tourism, activation of SAARC, climate change research collaboration, and people-to-people interactions.
 
The Chief Adviser called for "closer" relations with the Maldives, saying the two nations shared a lot of things, including a serious impact of climate change.

"Our whole existence is at stake," Prof Yunus said, referring to the dangers posed by the climate crisis.

The Maldives president praised Bangladesh workers' role in his country's construction and tourism sectors. 

Mohamed Muizzu said both nations could work together in tourism, fisheries, and climate change research. 

He called for expanded trade and economic cooperation between the two nations.

"If our two countries work together, it will be beneficial for the people of both countries ," the Maldives president said.

Prof Yunus said he would like to see the activation of the SAARC as a platform for economic cooperation and closer integration of the South Asian region.

"We should be closer. We should not have distance", Prof Yunus said.