Bangladesh Embarks on Historic Journey on World Stage

Bangladesh has embarked on a historic journey on the world stage as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in New York on a five-day visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Prime Minister arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 6:20pm local time on Monday on a Turkish Airlines flight after a stopover in Istanbul. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and members of his entourage. He is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Thursday in Bangla.

The visit has generated considerable enthusiasm among expatriate Bangladeshis and leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organisations in New York. The Prime Minister’s arrival also carries significance as he is set to become the third member of his family to address the UN General Assembly, following his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Prime Minister in US for Five-Day Visit

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irene Zubaida Khan and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam received the Prime Minister and his wife at Terminal 1 of JFK Airport.

A motorcade then took the Prime Minister to Hyatt Grand Central New York, where he will stay during his visit. BNP leaders and activists and members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community gathered at the airport and along the route to welcome him.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister began his official UN engagements by attending a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for world leaders and their spouses. He subsequently attended the opening session of the 81st General Assembly.

During the visit, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold meetings with heads of state and government, the UN Secretary-General and representatives of international organisations and global businesses. His engagements include meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.

Prime Minister to Present Vision for New Bangladesh

The Prime Minister will address the 81st UN General Assembly on September 24 in a speech scheduled to last around 15 minutes.

According to the programme, he will present his vision for a new Bangladesh, focusing on the country’s democratic journey, economic stability, the impacts of climate change and a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

He is also expected to highlight Bangladesh’s role in global diplomacy and the country’s interests in the international arena.

Colourful Welcome Rally at Airport

Thousands of Bangladeshi expatriates and BNP leaders and activists gathered around JFK Airport to welcome the Prime Minister. They carried posters, banners and national flags and chanted slogans as his motorcade passed through the area.

New York police were also deployed around the airport as security was tightened ahead of the Prime Minister’s arrival.

PM’s US Visit Is Part of History: Mahdi Amin

Speaking at a press conference at Hyatt Grand Central New York on Monday night, Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin described the visit as an important moment for Bangladesh.

He said the Prime Minister would convey the aspirations and rights of the people of Bangladesh to the international community and present his vision for inclusive development and the country’s future.

Mahdi Amin referred to the international roles previously played by Tarique Rahman’s parents and said the Prime Minister would carry forward that legacy while presenting Bangladesh’s interests on the global stage.

Professor Dr Morshed Hasan Khan, a member of the Dhaka University Syndicate and professor of marketing, also described the visit as a significant milestone. He recalled Ziaur Rahman’s 1980 address to the UN General Assembly and said Tarique Rahman’s appearance at the same forum marks another chapter in the family’s political history.

Pabna University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Abul Hasnat Md Shamim said the visit could open a new horizon for Bangladesh’s international engagement and strengthen Bangladesh-US diplomatic and economic relations.

BNP Executive Committee member Abdul Latif Samrat said there was no precedent, to his knowledge, of a father, mother and child from the same family addressing the UN General Assembly, describing Tarique Rahman’s participation as a matter of pride for Bangladesh.

Security Measures at JFK Airport

New York BNP leaders and affiliated organisations took additional security and organisational measures around the Prime Minister’s arrival, citing concerns about possible disruption.

New York South BNP President Habibur Rahman Selim Reza said the measures were taken in light of an incident at JFK Airport in 2025, which he attributed to activists of the Awami League. He said BNP leaders remained alert to prevent any disorder or provocation during the Prime Minister’s arrival.

He also said US security authorities played an important role in ensuring a smooth arrival.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave New York for Dhaka on the night of September 25 after completing his engagements in the United States.