Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali announced that Hasina will hold discussions with her Austrian counterpart during the upcoming conference in Vienna, titled “International Conference on the Technical Cooperation Programme: Sixty Years and Beyond – Contributing to Development”. Leaders from various continents will be in attendance. Hasina, along with her team, will depart from Dhaka on a special Biman Bangladesh flight. Ali emphasized that Hasina's presence at the conference will demonstrate Bangladesh's dedication to global peace and enhance the country's reputation as a promoter of peaceful nuclear energy use. Bangladesh joined the IAEA in 1972 with the assistance of the late nuclear scientist Dr. MA Wazed Miah, the prime minister's husband. The prime minister is expected to discuss in her speech how the IAEA's technical cooperation program has been beneficial for Bangladesh in improving its atomic energy capabilities, socio-economic development, and sustainable development. Additionally, she will emphasize the importance of science and technology in the development of 'digital Bangladesh'. The foreign minister noted that Austria was one of the earliest countries to acknowledge Bangladesh in 1972. The former Austrian Federal Chancellor Bruno Kriesky showed support for Bangladesh, leading to Hasina presenting him with the 'Friends of Liberation War Honor Award' in 2012. In 2014, Bangladesh established a resident mission in Vienna. As part of the government's strategy to enhance relations with Europe, steps have been taken to strengthen ties with Austria. Hasina is anticipated to hold a bilateral meeting with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Kern. Foreign Minister Ali stated that during the upcoming visit, the prime minister will cover topics such as agriculture and livestock cooperation, initiating direct flights, and holding regular diplomatic consultations, in addition to discussing trade, investment, and sustainable development. They will also address global issues such as terrorism, migration, refugee crisis, climate change, and the post-Brexit Europe situation. A memorandum of understanding on foreign office consultations will be signed during the visit, and Prime Minister Hasina will also meet with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen. Ali expressed hope that the visit will further strengthen bilateral relations. The prime minister is expected to depart from Vienna on Tuesday evening and return to Dhaka on Wednesday morning. In addition to the foreign minister, the minister of science and technology will be joining the prime minister on her trip.