PM heads to NY tomorrow for first UNGA address

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave Dhaka for New York tomorrow to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he will deliver his maiden address on September 24 amid a busy schedule of high-level meetings and diplomatic engagements.

His first appearance at the UNGA will also mark the third time a member of his family has addressed the world body, continuing a connection that began with his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, in 1980 and continued with his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, from 1993.

Ziaur Rahman addressed the UN General Assembly's 11th Special Session on August 26, 1980, focusing on poverty and hunger, the gap between rich and poor countries, economic development and greater international cooperation. Khaleda Zia first addressed the Assembly on October 1, 1993, and subsequently spoke at General Assembly proceedings on four other occasions between 1993 and 2005, according to UN records.

Tarique Rahman's address comes at a significant moment for Bangladesh at the UN, with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman serving as president of the 81st General Assembly. The session is being held under the theme "Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All."

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said climate change would feature prominently in the prime minister's speech, while Bangladesh would present its position and priorities on the issue.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Tarique would present Bangladesh's new outlook and future vision, highlighting its democratic transition, development priorities, global peace and sustainable solutions to international crises. Poverty eradication, economic prospects, climate action and climate finance would also feature, while the Rohingya crisis would remain a major priority.

The prime minister, who will be accompanied by a relatively small delegation, is scheduled to hold more than a dozen bilateral and high-level meetings on the sidelines of the General Assembly.

The meetings are expected to include Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi? and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, diplomatic sources said.

He is also expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, European Council President António Costa, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson. He will also attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump.

The Rohingya crisis is expected to receive particular attention, with Bangladesh planning a high-level side event during the General Assembly. Kobir said the issue would remain a major priority for the government.

The General Debate, the UN's annual high-level gathering of heads of state and government, will run from September 22 to 28, according to the UN schedule.

For Tarique, the visit will provide his first opportunity as prime minister to present Bangladesh's priorities directly to world leaders and engage in a series of bilateral discussions alongside the General Assembly.