New york: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to make his inaugural address at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24, as he arrives in New York on September 21 for the 81st session of the UNGA, equipped with a busy agenda of high-level meetings and diplomatic engagements.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister, accompanied by a small delegation, will remain in New York until September 25. During this time, he plans to outline Bangladesh's future vision and priorities to global leaders. The General Debate, an annual high-level assembly for heads of state and government, runs from September 22 to 28. Leaders utilize this platform to express their positions and priorities on pressing global issues.
Tarique Rahman's visit is notably significant for Bangladesh at the United Nations. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman was elected President of the 81st General Assembly in June, marking him as the second Bangladeshi to assume this role. The session, which commenced on September 8, operates under the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All."
The Prime Minister's schedule includes over a dozen bilateral and high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Discussions are anticipated with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. Additional meetings with UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Trk, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, European Council President Ant³nio Costa, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson are likely.
During his visit, the Prime Minister will attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir highlighted that the Prime Minister's UNGA address will emphasize Bangladesh's new vision and aspirations for democratic transition. Kobir noted that meetings with world leaders on the General Assembly's sidelines are scheduled.
The Rohingya crisis will be a focal point of the visit, with plans for a high-level side event on the issue. Kobir mentioned that the government would address the broader Rohingya crisis, although discussions about the UN Refugee Convention might not take place. On the potential meeting between Tarique Rahman and US President Donald Trump, Kobir indicated such engagements are often finalized last-minute during major international conferences.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated that the 81st General Assembly offers Bangladesh a platform to showcase its national interests, economic potential, and development priorities internationally. She emphasized the "Bangladesh First" foreign policy, which guides the Prime Minister's engagements, aiming to present Bangladesh as a democratic, confident, and responsible nation.
Shama underscored the importance of the Rohingya crisis, revealing plans for a dedicated session during the General Assembly involving the Prime Minister. She described the crisis as increasingly complex, citing the roles of Myanmar authorities, the Arakan Army, regional actors, and competing international interests. She urged for greater international support to achieve a sustainable resolution and encouraged Bangladeshis abroad and civil-society representatives to mobilize this support, emphasizing that while the Rohingya crisis impacts Bangladesh significantly, it is not a crisis of Bangladesh's creation.