PM's focus was BD interest during UNGA visit: Mahdi

 
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly highlighted Bangladesh’s national interests and sovereignty while presenting the country’s aspirations for partnership, investment, trade and inclusive development before the international community, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday.

“During these four working days, the Prime Minister firmly presented Bangladesh’s interests and potential before the world community in different areas, while highlighting the country’s sovereignty and independence,” he said at a press conference at the Karabi Hall of the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon.

Mahdi, also spokesperson to the Prime Minister's Office, said the Prime Minister took part in 30 official programmes during his four-day stay in New York, held bilateral meetings with 11 countries and delivered six speeches at different events besides his main address to the General Debate of the 81st UNGA.

He said the Prime Minister travelled with a 35-member official delegation, including 15 ministers, state ministers, advisers and special assistants.

Members of the delegation attended around 50 additional meetings during the visit, taking the total number of bilateral and multilateral engagements involving Bangladesh’s representatives to more than 80, Mahdi said.

A smaller team has also travelled to California to pursue cooperation with the US technology industry and academia, he added.
Of the Prime Minister’s 30 official programmes, eight were directly related to the United Nations, including the opening of the 81st UNGA, his General Debate address, a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump and four high-level side events.

In his maiden UNGA address, the Prime Minister presented Bangladesh’s priorities on democracy, accountability, transparency, inclusive development, human rights, rule of law, freedom of expression, economic recovery, employment, health, education, technology and climate action.

He outlined the government’s three-R strategy of recovery, restoration and reconstruction and presented initiatives including the Family Card, Farmer Card, Health Card and a proposed Universal Card.

Mahdi said the Prime Minister also highlighted the country’s plans to develop human resources, create employment, promote entrepreneurship and expand the use of artificial intelligence and robotics. “He presented a roadmap for a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented Bangladesh, where the benefits of development reach people across all sections of society,” Mahdi said.

Climate action was another major focus of the visit. At high-level meetings on climate action and just transition and sea-level rise, the Prime Minister presented Bangladesh’s plans to plant 250 million trees over five years, excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals, implement the Teesta Master Plan and Padma Barrage projects, expand solar and renewable energy and promote green industries, he said.