The cabinet on Thursday approved a proposal to ratify the agreement titled Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology, signed between Japan and Bangladesh.

The approval came at the weekly meeting of the cabinet chaired by prime minister Tarique Rahman at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The meeting also approved the proposal to sign the framework agreement on the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance.

The IBCA is a global coalition established in April 2023 to conserve seven major big cat species — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah. At present, 24 United Nations member states are part of the alliance.

The principal objectives of the IBCA framework agreement include protecting big cat habitats, preventing illegal hunting and wildlife trade, and promoting technological cooperation and exchange of expertise among member countries.

As Bangladesh is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, the cabinet approved the signing of the proposal, prioritising the conservation and ecosystem management of the Sundarbans.

The cabinet also approved the draft GCM National Action Plan (GCM-NAP) 2026–2030, aimed at implementing the Global Compact.

The GCM was adopted by the United Nations in 2018 to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration worldwide. Bangladesh is among 164 countries that are party to the compact.

Bangladesh has continued to play a leading role in various global platforms on international migration and is regarded as one of the advocates of the GCM concept.

In recognition of this contribution, the International Organization for Migration designated Bangladesh as a GCM Champion Country in 2020.

With technical support from the IOM and stakeholders consultations, the draft National Action Plan for the 2026-2030 period was formulated to implement the objectives and action plans of the GCM.

The Cabinet formally approved the draft at the meeting.

The Cabinet meeting also reviewed the progress report on the implementation of decisions adopted between February 17 and April 30.

According to the report, seven cabinet meetings have been held since the current government assumed office on February 17, with an implementation rate of cabinet decisions standing at 70.73 per cent.