PM’s UNGA Engagements Focus on Bangladesh’s Interests: Mahdi

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s engagements during his visit to New York have focused on advancing Bangladesh’s interests, strengthening regional and global cooperation, and presenting the country’s priorities on the world stage, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said on Thursday.

He made the remarks at a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters in New York following the prime minister’s engagements on the third day of his visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mahdi said the day’s programmes covered multilateral engagements, high-level bilateral meetings and two thematic events on climate change and health.

Tarique held meetings with the prime ministers of Pakistan and Thailand, where they discussed strengthening regional cooperation and people-to-people ties based on equality, fairness and mutual respect, Mahdi said.

At a high-level meeting on the threats posed by sea-level rise, the prime minister highlighted Bangladesh’s environmental priorities, including plans to plant 250 million trees over five years and excavate more than 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals.

He also presented plans concerning the proposed Padma Barrage and Teesta projects and put forward four proposals to address climate-related challenges.

At another high-level event on integrating midwifery into primary healthcare, Mahdi said the prime minister outlined Bangladesh’s plans to reduce maternal and child mortality and expand healthcare services at the grassroots level.

He said Tarique wants to ensure healthcare reaches every family, particularly those in rural and marginalised communities.

Mahdi also highlighted the prime minister’s meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, describing it as “very fruitful”.

According to Mahdi, Guterres congratulated Tarique on his electoral victory and Bangladesh’s return to a democratic system through what he described as a peaceful and acceptable election.

Guterres also thanked Bangladesh for hosting Rohingya refugees and for the contribution of Bangladeshi military personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, Mahdi said. He added that the UN chief appreciated Bangladesh’s role in climate resilience and its contribution to multilateralism.

During the meeting, Tarique discussed Bangladesh’s role in global peacekeeping and multilateral cooperation and expressed interest in strengthening the country’s engagement with the United Nations, Mahdi said.

He said the prime minister’s address to the General Assembly reflected Bangladesh’s priorities on global peace, Palestine, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, as well as inclusive development.

Tarique also outlined his government’s policy priorities in health, education, agriculture, employment, technology and the environment, including the Family Card, Farmer Card, e-Health Card and a proposed universal card, Mahdi said.

“The Prime Minister presented a roadmap for building a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented Bangladesh,” he said.

Mahdi said the prime minister also spoke about strengthening democracy and the rule of law and ensuring human rights.

He said Tarique’s UNGA address went beyond Bangladesh’s national interests and highlighted broader issues of global peace and cooperation.

Referring to the prime minister’s participation in the General Assembly, Mahdi said it was also significant that Tarique became the third member of his family to represent Bangladesh at the world body, following his father Ziaur Rahman and mother Khaleda Zia.

He also noted that Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

Mahdi said the prime minister maintained a busy schedule throughout his four-day working stay in New York, attending programmes from morning until late in the day.

Tarique arrived in New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Sunday.