Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman to Attend 81st UN General Assembly Session in New York

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to travel to New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will deliver Bangladesh's national statement on September 24.

According to sources at the Prime Minister's Office, the visit will mark Rahman's first trip to New York and his first address to the UN General Assembly as Prime Minister.

Bangladesh Holds Prominent Role at This Year's UNGA

This year's General Assembly is of particular significance for Bangladesh, as the newly elected President of the 81st UN General Assembly, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, will preside over the session.

During his visit, Prime Minister Rahman is expected to attend a reception hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, hold meetings with members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, and participate in several bilateral meetings with world leaders on the sidelines of the Assembly.

Brief Visit Planned

Officials familiar with the preparations said the prime minister's visit will be brief, lasting four to five days. He is expected to leave New York for Bangladesh on September 25 or 26, accompanied by a delegation of no more than 35 members.

Theme and Priorities of the 81st Session

The theme of the 81st UN General Assembly is:

"Rebuilding Trust, Managing Change, and Delivering an Effective United Nations for All."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has described the theme as a call to strengthen multilateralism and make the United Nations more effective in addressing global challenges.

As President of the 81st session, Dr. Khalilur Rahman has identified six key priorities:

• Peace and security
• Accelerating implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• Climate action and environmental protection
• Human rights
• Governance of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies
• Reform of the United Nations

He has also emphasized preventive diplomacy, peacebuilding, and the protection of civilians as central elements of the UN's peace and security agenda.

The session will additionally focus on narrowing the global development financing gap, implementing the Global Digital Compact, and improving the effectiveness of the United Nations.

General Debate Begins September 22

According to the UN schedule, the High-Level General Debate will take place from September 22 to 26, and resume on September 28.

Heads of state and government from around the world will address the General Assembly, outlining their countries' positions on major international issues, including armed conflicts, international peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, climate change, and the global economic situation.

The United Nations General Assembly, comprising 193 member states, is the world's most representative multilateral forum, providing a platform for global dialogue and decision-making on peace, security, development, human rights, and international law.