PM Holds Breakfast Meeting With Humanitarian Agencies

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a breakfast meeting with representatives of international philanthropic and humanitarian organisations in New York on Wednesday as part of his engagements during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The meeting was held at 8:30am local time at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Representatives of several leading global philanthropic and humanitarian organisations attended the meeting, including the Gates Foundation, Visa Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Rotary International.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss Bangladesh’s perspectives on global humanitarian challenges, international cooperation, climate change, sustainable development and economic cooperation in the context of the ongoing UNGA session.

Discussions also focused on strengthening international partnerships for social and economic development, humanitarian assistance and technology-driven initiatives in Bangladesh.

The meeting also highlighted the need to expand philanthropic and humanitarian cooperation globally and build effective partnerships to support developing countries.

International partnerships with philanthropic and humanitarian organisations are important for Bangladesh in areas including poverty reduction, healthcare, education, social protection, technology, climate resilience and responses to humanitarian crises.

Later in the day, the prime minister was scheduled to attend a high-level side event on the Rohingya crisis at the UN headquarters. The event is focused on finding a durable solution to the prolonged displacement of the Rohingya, including justice and accountability and international support for their safe and sustainable return to Myanmar.

He was also scheduled to participate in a high-level meeting titled “Climate Action and the Just Transition.”

The prime minister is scheduled to deliver Bangladesh’s statement at the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly on September 24. It will be his first address to the UN General Assembly as prime minister.

Humanitarian crises, climate change, sustainable development, international cooperation and the Rohingya crisis are among the key issues featuring in his New York engagements.