PM Attends 10 Events on First Day, Holds Meetings with World Leaders
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had a busy schedule on the first day of his New York visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He directly participated in 10 of the 12 scheduled programmes throughout the day, attending UN events and holding bilateral meetings with world leaders while discussing the Rohingya crisis and Bangladesh’s development and economic priorities.
Dr. Mahdi Amin, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office and adviser to the prime minister, disclosed the information at a press briefing held at Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York on Tuesday night.
At the beginning of the day’s programme, the prime minister attended a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres in honour of world leaders and their spouses. His wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him. He later attended the opening session and high-level general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters.
Dr. Mahdi Amin said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is representing Bangladesh at the UN global forum for the first time in the country’s political history. He noted that former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had previously represented Bangladesh at the UN General Assembly.
At the same time, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman is serving as president of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. The Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson described a Bangladeshi foreign minister taking up this responsibility as an important diplomatic achievement for the country.
Regional cooperation was also given importance during the first day’s programme. The prime minister held separate meetings with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Maldives Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef. The meetings discussed further strengthening existing friendly relations, issues of mutual interest, and regional and international cooperation. The leaders also exchanged views on exploring new areas of cooperation between the countries.
Tarique Rahman also held a meeting with Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The meeting, held at the UN headquarters, discussed bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Haiti, issues of mutual interest, and regional and international cooperation. The possibility of strengthening cooperation for the mutual welfare of the two countries’ peoples and expanding bilateral relations in various areas was also discussed.
The prime minister also met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The meeting, held at the Turkish House in New York, was an important direct discussion between the two leaders. According to information released, details of the discussion were not made public as the meeting was held behind closed doors.
The Rohingya crisis also received special attention in the prime minister’s diplomatic activities on the first day. During a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, Tarique Rahman highlighted the need for the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh. Emphasis was also placed on continued humanitarian assistance and more coordinated international initiatives for a sustainable solution to the crisis.
The prime minister also met Julie Bishop, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar. They discussed a long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis and the effective role of the international community. The prime minister called for international cooperation to ensure the safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
Important discussions were also held on Bangladesh’s development and economic priorities on the first day. During a meeting with Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, the prime minister exchanged views on the country’s development priorities, economic progress and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed strengthening World Bank support for Bangladesh’s development activities and creating new areas of partnership in the future.
The Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson said the prime minister directly participated in 10 of the 12 scheduled programmes on the first day. Due to scheduling constraints, high-level delegations participated in several programmes on his behalf. Among them, discussions with Meta covered Bangladesh’s large number of users, digital platforms and relations between the two sides. Economic diplomacy and engagement with the private sector are also receiving importance during the prime minister’s current visit. The schedule includes meetings with Meta, businesspeople and various investment-related stakeholders.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s busy schedule will continue during his New York visit. On September 23, in addition to attending a high-level event organised by Bangladesh on the Rohingya crisis, he is scheduled to participate in various programmes on addressing climate change and global inequality. On September 24, the prime minister will deliver Bangladesh’s statement at the general debate of the UN General Assembly for the first time.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs-1 Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Foreign Affairs-2 Shama Obayed Islam, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Abu Abdullah M Saleh (Saleh Shibli), and Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon were present at the press briefing.
