Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman Begins Three-Nation Diplomatic Tour

Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman departed Dhaka on Friday morning, Bangladesh time, on a three-nation diplomatic tour that will take him to the United States, the Philippines and the Maldives.

His first destination is New York, where he is expected to begin preparations for assuming the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During his stay, he is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with senior United Nations officials to discuss preparations for the upcoming session, its agenda and the work programme ahead of its opening in September.

The 81st session of the UN General Assembly is set to begin on September 8.

Khalilur Rahman will become only the second Bangladeshi to serve as President of the UN General Assembly. The first was former Foreign Minister Humayun Rashid Choudhury, who presided over the Assembly's 41st session in 1986-87.

The visit also comes ahead of a change in Bangladesh's permanent representation to the United Nations. Current Permanent Representative Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury is expected to be succeeded next month by internationally renowned human rights advocate Irene Khan, who has been appointed with the rank of state minister. Diplomats view the foreign minister's visit to New York as particularly significant ahead of her assumption of office.

After completing his engagements in New York, Dr. Khalilur Rahman will travel to Manila to represent Bangladesh at the **33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)**, scheduled for July 23.

Diplomatic sources said he is also expected to participate in several ministerial meetings involving ASEAN member states and the forum's dialogue partners.

Regional security, maritime cooperation, the Indo-Pacific, cybersecurity and other strategic issues are expected to dominate the discussions. Several bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the forum are also likely.

The final leg of the tour will take the foreign minister to the Maldives, where he will represent the Government of Bangladesh at the country's National Day celebrations on July 26.

During his visit, discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding overseas employment opportunities, boosting trade and tourism, and enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.

Dr. Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to return to Dhaka on July 27, concluding his three-country diplomatic mission.