Zubaida Rahman Addresses Global Child Welfare Summit in Washington at Invitation of Melania Trump

Dr. Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, delivered a speech at the opening session of the “Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit” in Washington, D.C., at the invitation of U.S. First Lady Melania Trump.

The summit brought together more than 40 First Ladies and spouses of world leaders, serving as a high-level platform for dialogue on improving child welfare and development worldwide.

The event was formally inaugurated on Tuesday by the U.S. First Lady at the United States Department of State. Dr. Rahman is currently on a two-day official visit to attend the summit.

In her remarks, Dr. Rahman emphasized the importance of child care, safe upbringing, and inclusive development. She highlighted Bangladesh’s initiatives such as “Family Card” and “Farmers Card,” which aim to provide financial support to families and ensure a nurturing environment for children. She also stressed the need for global cooperation to build an inclusive, tolerant, and prosperous future.

During a working session, she thanked the U.S. First Lady for bringing together global leaders and partners around commitments to child development. She noted that the future of any nation depends on how well it nurtures, educates, and instills values in its children.

“I have come here at an important moment for my country,” she said, referring to the newly elected government led by her husband. “With a strong mandate, we are working to build an inclusive and progressive nation.”

As a physician, Dr. Rahman reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for every child, with a strong focus on preventive care from early life stages.

Speaking on education and inclusion, she highlighted her work with the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) and Suravi, noting their contributions to education, youth development, and social welfare. She underscored the transformative potential of responsible use of artificial intelligence in education, particularly in countries like Bangladesh where access to trained teachers and resources remains limited.

She added that the government is equipping teachers and students with digital tools, including tablet computers, updated learning materials, and digital curricula. Classrooms are being enhanced with multimedia content to encourage collaboration, creativity, and values-based learning.

Dr. Rahman also stressed the role of education technology (EdTech) in reducing disparities between urban and rural communities, while ensuring safe and ethical use of digital tools for children.

Referring to Bangladesh’s legacy of women’s empowerment, she praised former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia for advancing women’s rights and introducing free education for girls up to grade 12. She said the current government is committed to extending free education for women up to the postgraduate level.

She also highlighted the contributions of Ziaur Rahman in creating employment opportunities for millions of women through public sector development.

Dr. Rahman emphasized the importance of partnerships with the private sector and global stakeholders to expand safe digital spaces, train teachers, empower parents, and improve education quality. “Through strong technological collaboration, we aim to connect every region, protect every child, and personalize every learning journey,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to the U.S. First Lady, noting that global collaboration and knowledge-sharing strengthen not only individual nations but also the future of children worldwide.

Dr. Rahman was accompanied by a delegation including Dhaka University marketing professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, and barrister Mehnaz Mannan.

Alongside the summit, an exhibition featuring 11 leading U.S. technology companies showcased innovative tools and applications aimed at improving children’s education. Dr. Rahman and her delegation visited the exhibition.

She is also scheduled to attend the closing session of the summit, to be hosted by the U.S. First Lady at the White House on Wednesday.