Tarique Rahman Will Present Plans For New Bangladesh

• Prime Minister To Arrive In New York Tomorrow

Faruk Hossain, from New York 

The United Nations opened its 81st General Assembly session last Friday morning. This session began under a new global backdrop. Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman will arrive in New York tomorrow, Monday. He will attend this UN General Assembly session.

Mr. Rahman will deliver his speech on September 24. This moment continues a historic family tradition in Bangladesh politics. His parents both addressed the UN General Assembly in earlier decades.

BNP leaders and activists in the United States have prepared extensively for this visit. They have held repeated meetings to organize the reception. Thousands of activists plan to greet the Prime Minister at John F Kennedy Airport tomorrow. They held several preparation meetings again last Friday.

Mr. Rahman will have a busy schedule after arriving Monday. He will first meet UN Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres in a bilateral meeting. Their discussion will focus on Bangladesh’s contribution to international peacekeeping missions. They will also discuss regional stability and developing nations’ role in global governance.

Mr. Rahman has also prepared for sideline meetings with several allied nations. These include the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union. He will also meet leaders from Middle Eastern and Asian countries. These talks will focus on Bangladesh’s national interests and bilateral trade. Strategic cooperation will also feature in these discussions.

The Prime Minister will speak at several high level side events too. These cover SDG progress review, digital innovation, and global food security.

Prime Minister Will Present New Bangladesh Plans

Mr. Rahman will highlight Bangladesh’s democratic transition in his UNGA speech. He will also address the government’s commitment to civil and political rights. Foreign Ministry officials shared these details with reporters.

The Prime Minister will discuss steps taken to align with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Bangladesh signed this treaty back in 2000. He will explain how the government protects citizens’ civil and political rights under this framework.

Sources say Mr. Rahman continues a family legacy with this address. His father was martyred President Mr. Ziaur Rahman. His mother was former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Three members of one family will have now addressed world leaders from this same platform.

Political analysts call this a rare and historic event in Bangladesh politics. President Ziaur Rahman gave his own historic UN speech 46 years ago. He spoke at a special session of the 11th UN General Assembly on August 26, 1980.

His speech addressed more than Bangladesh’s economic struggles at the time. He also questioned who the international system truly serves. He asked how small and developing nations could secure dignity and security within it.

He emphasized economic freedom for developing nations in that same speech. He also stressed food security and reducing global inequality. He further outlined Bangladesh’s strong commitment to world peace and regional cooperation.

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia later addressed the UN General Assembly in 2005. She spoke at the World Summit and other sessions that year. She represented the Bangladesh government at these events.

Mr. Rahman now continues both parents’ historic legacy with his own address. Diplomatic analysts view this visit as a significant milestone. They say it offers a chance to present Bangladesh’s political direction abroad. It also highlights the country’s economic outlook and foreign policy priorities.

Mr. Mohammad Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan Milton commented on this legacy. He serves as a member of BNP’s National Executive Committee. He noted that President Ziaur Rahman spoke in Bengali at the UN. He said this strongly asserted Bangladesh’s geopolitical position internationally.

Mr. Milton added that Begum Khaleda Zia became the first woman Prime Minister to address the UN multiple times. He said she spoke about Bangladesh’s development, democracy, and universal rights. He said Mr. Rahman now continues this legacy as his parents’ political successor.

Professor Dr. S M Abdur Razzak also commented on the visit. He serves as Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology. He said Bangladesh will set an example on the world stage after many years.

He called this speech more than a formality. He said it offers a major opportunity to present Bangladesh’s political roadmap abroad. He said it will also showcase the country’s economic vision and future strategy. He said many people now eagerly await this historic address.

Extensive Preparations By US BNP Leaders

BNP leaders and activists across the United States have prepared extensively for this visit. They have held repeated meetings ahead of the arrival. Mr. Gias Ahmed commented on these preparations. He serves as another member of the party’s Executive Committee.

He said all party workers stand ready to welcome Mr. Rahman. He expects a massive crowd at JFK Airport on Monday. Mr. Bodra Sayeed also shared his thoughts on the visit. He serves as President of Boston BNP.

He said expatriates feel great excitement about this visit. He said activists have waited a long time for this moment. Mr. Abu Sayeed Ahmed also commented on the mood in New York. He serves as Central Vice President of Jubo Dal.

He said a festive atmosphere now fills the city. He noted posters and banners have already appeared in various locations. Mr. Selim Reza also shared his reaction to the visit. He serves as President of New York South Metropolitan BNP.

He called it a proud moment for the community. He noted Mr. Rahman represents the third generation to address the UN. He said everyone stands ready to welcome him warmly.

Mr. Tofayel Liton Chowdhury also commented on the visit’s significance. He formerly served as Information and Research Secretary for Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal. He said this visit will surely become a memorable one. He noted BNP leaders from various US states have already arrived in New York.

Meanwhile, the UN marked the first day of its 81st session last Friday morning. The Secretary General launched this year’s SDG Moment under General Assembly Resolution 74/4. This year’s theme is “Together, We Can.”

This theme reflects both urgency and hope for current global conditions. Progress toward Sustainable Development Goals remains achievable through united global effort. The SDG Report 2026 tracked 139 measurable targets this year.

The report found 36 percent of these targets show good or moderate progress. This marks improvement compared to the previous year. However, overall progress remains slow and uneven across regions.

Funding gaps, climate impacts, debt burdens, conflict, and inequality continue to hinder progress. Still, meaningful transformation remains possible going forward. Achieving it will require large scale coordinated action and steady investment. It also requires strong partnerships and renewed international solidarity.

The UN website noted that governments, civil society, and the private sector joined the dialogue. Young people and other UN partners also participated in these discussions. They sought practical solutions to debt crises and rising inequality. They also examined opportunities and challenges linked to artificial intelligence.

SDG leaders and champions showcased successful individual and community based initiatives. Together, they emphasized that the 2030 Agenda remains within reach. This agenda covers people, the planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership.

The UN Secretary General and General Assembly President both spoke at the opening session. The event included four separate sessions in total. Organizers also invited civil society representatives, private sector figures, and academics. Experts, young people, and other stakeholders joined the event as well.