PM’s Japan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia visits under discussion

Following the Prime Minister’s “highly successful and fruitful” visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh is now discussing possible high-level visits by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to Türkiye, Japan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in October and November this year, officials said.

Discussions are underway as Dhaka considers invitations extended by Japan and the KSA for separate bilateral visits by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister has also been invited to COP31, which will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20. “COP” stands for Conference of the Parties. 

The Conference of the Parties is the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, which was adopted in 1992.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir met with Türkiye Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on September 25, and they exchanged views on COP31, including the participation of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, said a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Japan invited the Prime Minister to pay an official visit at a mutually convenient time, as Tokyo reaffirmed its commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations with Dhaka.

As per preliminary discussions, the Prime Minister is likely to pay an official visit to Japan in the last week of October, a diplomatic source told UNB, noting that nothing is finalised yet.

In April, Bangladesh welcomed a Japan-led initiative to deal with energy issues efficiently in the Asian region, noting that all countries need to come together as no country can solve the issue alone.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman joined the online meeting at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also invited the Prime Minister to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter to Tarique Rahman during a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat last month.    �"UNB