Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Friday emphasised the need to resolve the majority of problems faced by Bangladeshi expatriates before they leave the country, stating that 80 percent of such issues originate at home.

Speaking at the Foreign Service Day 2025 event at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Hossain highlighted that although only 20 percent of problems emerge in destination countries, Bangladeshi missions abroad are left to manage the full spectrum, often with limited manpower and resources.

"With only about 50 officials and staff in our mission in Saudi Arabia, how can they possibly address the challenges of over 3.2 million Bangladeshis residing there?" he asked, stressing the urgent need for systemic improvements within Bangladesh to ease pressure on missions overseas.

He urged policymakers and stakeholders to take a proactive approach by identifying and addressing root causes at home to better protect the rights and welfare of the country`s nearly 10 million expatriate workers worldwide.

Marking the significance of Foreign Service Day, Hossain recalled the historical moment of December 1971, when Bangladeshi diplomats in Kolkata took over the Pakistan Deputy High Commission, raised the national flag, and established the first diplomatic mission of independent Bangladesh.

"This day not only celebrates our history but also reminds us of our responsibility to uphold the dignity and service of our nation globally," he said.

The Adviser also called on mission officials to show empathy when dealing with expatriates. “Most don’t come to our missions by choice—they come after facing immense hardship. While we may have our own difficulties, theirs are often far greater,” he said.

Efforts are underway to strengthen the foreign service workforce, particularly in consulate general offices, to enhance service delivery, he added.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin echoed the Adviser’s sentiments, stating that Foreign Service Day is not just a day of celebration but one of reflection and renewed commitment.

"This is not just a job—it is a solemn duty to serve the nation with honesty, professionalism, and pride," he said.

Former Ambassador Humayun Kabir, delivering the keynote address, reflected on the aspirations of the Liberation War. "We envisioned a democratic and discrimination-free Bangladesh. That journey is still ongoing," he said.

The programme concluded with the symbolic cutting of a cake by former diplomats and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to mark the occasion.