Prime Minister to Deliver First UN Speech on Thursday

Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive in New York on Monday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. His upcoming visit follows those of his parents and is being described by people concerned as a notable moment in international politics and diplomacy.

The visit has generated strong enthusiasm among expatriate Bangladeshis and party leaders and activists. According to the schedule, after landing at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, he will go directly to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan.

On Thursday afternoon, September 24, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will deliver his first speech in Bengali at the United Nations General Assembly. Bangladesh is also serving as president of the General Assembly during this session. Expatriate Bangladeshis view both Bangladesh’s presidency and the prime minister’s Bengali-language address as symbols of national importance and pride.

Preparations for a Large Gathering at the Airport

Ahead of the visit, a festive atmosphere has emerged in New York’s areas with large Bangladeshi communities. From ordinary expatriates in Jackson Heights, Queens and Brooklyn to political figures, PM Tarique Rahman’s visit is now a major topic of discussion.

To welcome the prime minister, party leaders and activists have already arrived in New York from California, Florida, Texas, Michigan, Georgia and other US states, as well as several European countries. At a “Meet the Press” event held at Adda Restaurant in Jackson Heights on Saturday evening, BNP International Affairs Secretary Anwar Hossain Khokon said all organisational preparations had been completed to give the prime minister a warm welcome at JFK Airport. He instructed party leaders and activists to attend the airport in a disciplined manner.

Top US BNP leaders said they view the visit not simply as a protocol-based gathering, but as an open platform to present their views on the future of democratic Bangladesh to global policymakers and the US establishment.

Florida BNP President and freedom fighter Imranul Haque Chakladar said PM Tarique Rahman is going to address the United Nations as the third member of his family to do so as head of government, following the path of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Ms. Khaleda Zia. He described it as a rare chapter in the country’s political history.

Global Agenda and Members of the Prime Minister’s Delegation

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said that in his UN address on September 24, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present the government’s positions on major global issues, including Bangladesh’s renewed democratic journey, the rule of law, accountability, economic cooperation, climate change, equitable access to modern technology and global peace.

During the visit, the prime minister will take part in five important high-level meetings, with the Rohingya crisis and good governance among the key priorities. Bangladesh has also organised two special side events on the sidelines of the session. Regarding the possibility of a meeting with US President Donald Trump, the foreign secretary indicated that schedules at multilateral conferences often change.

US BNP leaders said they view the visit not only as a political gathering but also as a major opportunity to present the current situation in Bangladesh and their vision for the country’s future to US policymakers and the local expatriate community.

BNP Executive Committee member Gias Ahmed said, “Our preparations surrounding Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit are complete. Now it is time to welcome and receive him. InshaAllah, thousands of leaders and activists will gather at JFK Airport.”

Another BNP Central Executive Committee member, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan Milton, said many ordinary expatriates beyond the party’s ideological circle had also completed preparations to welcome Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and were now eagerly waiting for his arrival.

California BNP President Badrul Alam Chowdhury Shiplu said, “Our leader and elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman is visiting the United States after 20 years. This is extremely important in the current context. Through his visit, Bangladesh will, InshaAllah, move one step further on the global stage. We are waiting to welcome him.”

New York South Metropolitan BNP President Habibur Rahman Selim Reza said, “PM Tarique Rahman is no longer only the BNP chairman. He is now the prime minister. There is greater enthusiasm among expatriates surrounding his visit. However, everything that needed to be done at the party level to welcome him has been completed.”

Buffalo BNP General Secretary Sohel Ahmed Chowdhury said, “PM Tarique Rahman’s visit to the United States as prime minister will be memorable. He will deliver his speech in Bengali at the United Nations, while Bangladesh is presiding over this session.”

Former Information and Research Secretary of Jatiyatabadi Jubo Dal Tofail Liton Chowdhury said, “PM Tarique Rahman is visiting the United States after 20 years as prime minister. His first UN speech and Bangladesh’s presidency of the session are, on the one hand, a rare and historic moment for us, and on the other, a matter of special honour and pride.”

Who Will Accompany the Prime Minister?

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave for New York on September 21 (Bangladesh time) and lead the Bangladesh delegation. After completing his programmes in New York, he will leave for Bangladesh on the night of September 25.

Regarding the size of the delegation, the foreign secretary said 35 people will accompany the prime minister. They will include Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman and Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat.

The delegation will also include Saiful Haque, general secretary of the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, a partner in the simultaneous movement, and Golam Mohiuddin, secretary general of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh.

Regarding the shortened New York visit, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said the prime minister will attend five high-level meetings focusing on Bangladesh’s democratic journey, good governance and the resolution of the Rohingya crisis. Bangladesh has also organised two events on the sidelines of the conference.

Asad Alam Siam further said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will deliver his speech in Bengali at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on the afternoon of September 24. In his speech, he will highlight Bangladesh’s renewed democratic journey, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, equitable use of modern technology and reform of the multilateral system.

Regarding a possible meeting with US President Donald Trump, the foreign secretary said, “Many things can be added or removed from the schedule of a multilateral visit.” He also said this would be the current government’s first participation at the UN’s highest global forum, creating an opportunity to present the new government’s political commitments and its vision for Bangladesh’s future to the international community.