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

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

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said the prime minister's address will highlight Bangladesh's democratic transition, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, youth and women's empowerment, education and healthcare, the Rohingya crisis, the equitable use of emerging technologies, and reforms to the multilateral system.

Rahman will lead the Bangladesh delegation during the visit and is expected to depart New York for Dhaka on the night of September 25 after concluding his official engagements.

The foreign secretary said Bangladesh's participation in this year's General Assembly carries special significance for several reasons. It marks the current government's first appearance at the UN's highest global forum, providing an opportunity to present its political vision and future roadmap for Bangladesh to the international community.

He also noted that this will be the first time Prime Minister Tarique Rahman represents Bangladesh at the UN General Assembly. In addition, Bangladesh's foreign minister will preside over the General Assembly session, making it a rare and historic moment for the country.

According to the Foreign Secretary, the prime minister will hold a series of bilateral meetings with heads of state and government, as well as senior officials of international organizations, on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The meetings are expected to strengthen bilateral ties and open new avenues for cooperation.

Responding to a question about the size of the delegation, Siam said the prime minister will be accompanied by a 35-member delegation. The delegation includes Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Revolutionary Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh Secretary General Ghulam Mohiuddin.

The Foreign Ministry said the prime minister's official programme will begin on September 22 with participation in the UN Secretary-General's welcome breakfast for heads of state and government, followed by attendance at the opening ceremony of the General Assembly alongside world leaders. In the evening, he will attend a reception hosted by the U.S. president for heads of state and government and their spouses.

On September 23, Rahman will attend a breakfast meeting with representatives of international humanitarian and charitable organizations. He will later address a high-level meeting on tackling global inequality, jointly organized by Brazil, South Africa, Norway and Spain. In the afternoon, he will participate in the UN Secretary-General's high-level meeting titled Climate Action and the Just Transition.

On September 24, the prime minister will deliver the opening remarks at a high-level meeting on addressing the existential threat posed by rising sea levels, hosted by the President of the General Assembly and Bangladesh's foreign minister. He is expected to reaffirm Bangladesh's position on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice on behalf of climate-vulnerable nations.

Later that day, Rahman is expected to deliver Bangladesh's address during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

The prime minister will also attend two side events organized by Bangladesh. At a Rohingya-focused event on September 23, he will call for stronger international support to ensure the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar at the earliest opportunity.

On September 24, he will speak as the chief guest at a side event on maternal and newborn health and midwifery, where he will outline the government's initiatives and future plans to improve maternal and child healthcare while emphasizing the importance of skilled midwifery services.

In addition to his UN engagements, Rahman is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti. Discussions are expected to focus on political and economic cooperation, trade and investment, development partnership, and the Rohingya crisis.

He is also scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the President of the European Council, the President of the World Bank Group, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Myanmar, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the President of the International Peace Institute.

As part of Bangladesh's economic diplomacy efforts, the prime minister will meet senior executives from Wall Street financial institutions, Meta, and several other leading global companies. The discussions will focus on Bangladesh's investment climate, opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and technology, human capital development, and creating quality employment opportunities for the country's young workforce.

Foreign Secretary Siam expressed hope that the visit would showcase the new government's vision on the global stage while expanding Bangladesh's bilateral and multilateral partnerships. He said the delegation aims to present Bangladesh as a democratic, confident, responsible, peace-loving and promising nation committed to constructive global engagement.