Antalya:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings and pleasantries with various heads of state, government officials, and senior representatives of international organizations at the Leaders' Lounge ahead of the World Leaders' Summit opening ceremony at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister arrived at the venue of the United Nations Climate Change Conference at 1010 am local time, where he was welcomed by the organizers, as stated by PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Accompanying him were his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and several key ministers, including Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir.
Before the opening ceremony, world leaders gathered in the Leaders' Lounge, exchanging greetings and holding brief informal discussions on issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman participated in these interactions, meeting with leaders such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, and others, including the Prime Ministers and Presidents of Pakistan, Iran, Syria, and Kuwait.
The Prime Minister also engaged with members of the Indonesian delegation. The conference focuses on global cooperation to tackle climate change challenges, with heads of state, representatives of international organizations, and climate experts from different countries in attendance.
In addition to his participation in COP31, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled for bilateral meetings and courtesy calls with leaders from several countries on the conference's sidelines. He arrived in Antalya on Tuesday, leading a high-level Bangladesh delegation on a three-day visit to Türkiye.