3 members of same family address UNGA: A gobal first

This marks the first time in the history of the United Nations that three members of the same family—father, mother, and son—have addressed the General Assembly in top leadership roles.

Addressing the 81st UNGA session in Bangla on Thursday (September 24) local time, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman outlined Bangladesh's democratic transition, foreign policy, and vision for global peace while reflecting on his family's legacy at the UN stage.

"Standing at this global forum today, I feel a sense of nostalgia. It was from this very podium that my father, the announcer of Bangladesh's independence, Proklamator and former President Ziaur Rahman, and my mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, addressed the world on behalf of our nation. Today, I stand here to uphold the interest of my country and people," the Prime Minister stated in his address.

His father, former President Ziaur Rahman, was the first member of the family to address the assembly during its 11th Special Session on August 26, 1980, focusing on global economic inequality, poverty, and international cooperation.

His mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, first addressed the 48th UNGA session on October 1, 1993, and delivered addresses at the UN a total of five times between 1993 and 2005, including special sessions in 1995, 2002, and 2005.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's address adds a milestone to his family's four-decade-long engagement with the United Nations.