‎Shahidul Islam, Correspondent

‎The Scotland Forum 2025, held from September 1,4 at Heriot-Watt University and the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, convened high-level political leaders, parliamentarians, and diplomats from across Europe and beyond.

‎Key speakers included Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh OBE (Forum Head and former UK MP), Henry McLeish (former First Minister of Scotland), Bertie Ahern (former Prime Minister of Ireland), Ann Linde (former Swedish Foreign Minister), Eva-Maria Liimets (former Estonian Foreign Minister), and Erkki Tuomioja (former Finnish Foreign Minister). Also present were Fergus Ewing MSP, Lisa Cameron MP, Joanna Cherry KC MP, Lord Dafydd Wigley, Baroness Uddin, Sir David Davis MP, Ville Skinnari (former Finnish Trade Minister), Marvi Memon (former Pakistani Minister), and Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis (former Cypriot Foreign Minister), among others.

Dr. Wali Tasar Uddin MBE, DBA, JP, Honourary Consul General for Bangladesh in Edinburgh and President of the Europe-Bangladesh Federation of Commerce and Industry (EBFCI), delivered a keynote speech reflecting on his diplomatic and civic journey in Scotland since 1976. He presented EBFCI’s mission to strengthen trade and cultural ties between Europe and Bangladesh, highlighting collaboration opportunities in business, education, and sustainability. He also acknowledged the valuable support of H.E. Michael Miller, Head of the EU Delegation in Bangladesh, in furthering these efforts.

With panel discussions on diplomacy, development, and intergovernmental cooperation alongside social events at the Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Castle the Forum reinforced Scotland’s role in promoting inclusive international dialogue and strategic partnerships