Tarique Meets 7 World Leaders During UNGA Visit

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held meetings with the heads of state and government of seven countries, including Türkiye, Iran and Pakistan, during his four working days in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The leaders were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the meetings were held alongside the Prime Minister’s participation in UNGA programmes.

“During these meetings, they discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral relations, expand trade and business and exchanged views on various international issues,” he said.

Tarique Rahman also held separate meetings with Maldives Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.

The discussions covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, manpower, economic cooperation and a range of regional and international issues.

The Prime Minister also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres, World Bank President Ajay Banga, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Myanmar Julie Bishop, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, International Peace Institute President and CEO Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman.

Bangladesh’s economic outlook, investment prospects and the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar featured prominently in the discussions, alongside opportunities to expand cooperation.

During his stay in New York, Tarique Rahman attended four high-level events focusing on the Rohingya crisis, the threat posed by sea-level rise to coastal countries, climate action and a just transition, and the integration of midwifery into primary healthcare to help prevent maternal and newborn deaths.

He also attended a breakfast meeting with Wall Street representatives hosted by JPMorgan Chase, where he discussed Bangladesh’s economy, investment prospects and opportunities in trade and the financial sector.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir attended the event.

Tarique Rahman and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, also attended a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for heads of state and government attending the UNGA. They also attended a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for world leaders and their spouses.

The Prime Minister arrived in New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UNGA, accompanied by his wife, and led a 35-member delegation.

On September 22, he joined the high-level General Debate of the 81st UNGA and delivered his first address to the world forum as Prime Minister on September 24.