CA Yunus to Leave for New York Sunday to Attend UNGA

Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus (File photo)

Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus will leave Dhaka on Sunday night for New York to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), one of the most significant gatherings of world leaders on the global stage.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Yunus is scheduled to arrive in New York on 22 September. He will deliver his address to the Assembly on 26 September, highlighting Bangladesh’s position on key global issues and sharing updates on the interim government’s progress. He is expected to return to Dhaka on 2 October.

Confirming the details, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad said the Chief Adviser’s participation will reflect Bangladesh’s strong commitment to multilateralism, peace, and global cooperation at a time of heightened international challenges.

At a media briefing on 17 September, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain revealed that this year’s Bangladesh delegation will include four political leaders representing diverse parties: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen. Their inclusion, he said, is part of the interim government’s commitment to inclusive representation and dialogue on the international stage.

In his speech at the UNGA, Professor Yunus is expected to review the interim government’s activities over the past year. He will outline the administration’s progress on political, economic, and social reforms, and reaffirm its pledge to restore democracy in Bangladesh through free, fair, and participatory elections scheduled for February next year.

The Chief Adviser is also likely to address Bangladesh’s stance on pressing international issues such as climate change, global inequality, and the refugee crisis. Analysts believe he will particularly highlight the plight of the 1.3 million Rohingya refugees hosted in Bangladesh, urging stronger global support for their safe and dignified repatriation.

This year’s UNGA holds special importance for Bangladesh, as on 30 September the United Nations will host its first-ever High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar. Bangladesh, as the country most directly affected by the Rohingya crisis, is expected to play a central role in shaping discussions and advocating for international action.

Foreign policy experts suggest that Dr Yunus’s presence at the UNGA will be closely watched, as it comes at a critical moment for Bangladesh’s political transition. The Chief Adviser is likely to use the platform to seek international confidence and backing for the interim administration’s roadmap towards democracy.

Bangladesh has long viewed the UNGA as an essential venue for amplifying its voice on the world stage, particularly on issues such as climate vulnerability, migrant rights, and peacekeeping contributions. With global conflicts, economic uncertainty, and humanitarian crises dominating this year’s agenda, Dr Yunus’s speech will aim to align Bangladesh’s concerns with broader international priorities.

The visit is also expected to include meetings with world leaders, heads of international organisations, and development partners, providing opportunities to strengthen diplomatic ties and secure support for Bangladesh’s reforms and humanitarian efforts.

By participating in the 80th UNGA session, the Chief Adviser hopes to not only represent Bangladesh in front of the international community but also to reinforce the country’s image as a responsible, democratic, and forward-looking nation committed to both domestic progress and global peace.