PM to Present Bangladesh Vision at UNGA: Mahdi

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present Bangladesh’s vision for the future, ways to safeguard the country’s interests, uphold people’s rights and ensure inclusive development at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Monday.

“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will carry the same sense of patriotism, emotion and aspirations as his father and mother as he presents to the world community Bangladesh’s vision for the future, ways to safeguard the country’s interests, uphold the rights of its people and ensure inclusive development,” he said.

Mahdi, also the Prime Minister’s adviser, made the remarks at a briefing for Bangladeshi journalists at the Hyatt Grand Central New York after the Prime Minister arrived in New York to attend the 81st session of the UNGA.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver his maiden address to the UN General Assembly on September 24. He will become the third member of his family to address the UNGA, following his father, former President Ziaur Rahman, and mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Mahdi said the Prime Minister’s four working days in New York will include bilateral and multilateral meetings, high-level UN events and other diplomatic engagements.

He said the engagements will focus on strengthening Bangladesh’s relations with other countries while advancing issues of national interest.

The Prime Minister will also attend several high-level UN events on climate change, the Rohingya crisis, global inequality, and maternal and newborn health.

Mahdi said Tarique Rahman deliberately kept the visit short, with one day allocated for travel to the United States and another for the return journey, leaving four working days in between. The official entourage comprises 35 members, including ministers, state ministers, advisers and special assistants, as well as personnel responsible for security, media and other duties.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, who also spoke at the briefing, said the Prime Minister’s main objective in New York is to address the UNGA and present Bangladesh’s new vision and priorities to the international community.

“The main focus is addressing the United Nations General Assembly and presenting Bangladesh’s democratic transition and the policies and plans for a new Bangladesh,” he said.

Kobir said the Prime Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with heads of government and participate in high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.

The Prime Minister began his formal UNGA engagements on Tuesday by attending a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegation before joining the opening session of the 81st General Assembly.

Asked whether the Prime Minister would hold a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump, the state minister said the main purpose of the visit was to attend the UNGA and that bilateral meetings are arranged separately according to the schedules of the leaders concerned.

Mahdi said the Prime Minister will return to Bangladesh after completing his engagements without extending the visit.

He said the government’s team in New York would provide journalists with regular updates on the Prime Minister’s meetings and activities.

The briefing was also attended by Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Bangladesh UN Mission’s Deputy Permanent Representative Wahiduzzaman.

The Prime Minister arrived in New York on Monday evening after a stopover in Istanbul. He is staying at the Hyatt Grand Central New York during his visit.