By Dhaka Tribune, Feb 6, 2024

The United States is closely monitoring the situation in Myanmar, notingthat like others, they are very concerned over the growing tensions amidongoing conflict, an official at the US Embassy in Dhaka said on Monday.

“We are following it very closely. Obviously, we are very concerned, as theworld is concerned. We are also monitoring the situation very very closely,”said Stephen F Ibelli, spokesperson of the US Embassy in Dhaka.

He made the remarks while responding to a question on the sideline of theopening of the first-ever TechCamp in Bangladesh to empower young journalists.

Responding to a question, he said they are looking to work with Bangladeshin key areas like economy and climate change.

He said the United States is the number one foreign direct investor inBangladesh and the number one location for goods and services exported fromBangladesh.

“I think that is very indicative of the interest of the United States andthat is also indicative of the fact that we try to partner in the areas inwhich we have mutual interest,” he added.

Asked if the US would withdraw the sanctions imposed on RAB in 2021 andreview the visa policy announced in May last year, Stephen said he has noinformation in this regard, but that after the sanctions, the number ofextrajudicial killings declined.

On the three-day TechCamp being hosted by the US Embassy in Dhaka, he saidit aimed to empower 50 aspiring journalists to fact check, learn best practiceson artificial intelligence, and combat misinformation.

Stephen Ibelli said: “Every day, we are exposed to so much information thatwe can barely keep track of. Oftentimes, we mix rumors with facts and truths.It is really easy to become confused. To deal with this challenge, we need toequip ourselves with critical thinking and the correct tools to identify.”

Those participating in the workshop can later compete with their ideas onfact-checking, and the best ideas will be supported by the US embassy.

Organized by the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA) at the USDepartment of State, in partnership with the Global Youth Leadership Center(GYLC) Inc, TechCamp fosters technological innovation and empowers futureleaders to address real-world challenges through pragmatic solutions.