PM Tarique Rahman leaves Dhaka for New York to attend UNGA

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Dhaka early Monday for New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to deliver his first address as prime minister on September 24.

Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage, departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 6:05am on a Turkish Airlines flight, according to the prime minister’s press secretary AAM Saleh Shibly.

Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the prime minister will lead a 26-member delegation to New York and address the UNGA general debate on September 24.

The flight is scheduled to travel via Istanbul before continuing to New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport. The prime minister and his delegation are scheduled to stay at the Hyatt Grand Central New York during the visit.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Tarique will attend a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of state and government on September 22, followed by the opening of the General Assembly. He is also scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the US president for heads of state and government and their spouses that evening.

On September 23, the prime minister is scheduled to hold a breakfast meeting with representatives of international charitable and humanitarian organisations. He will also speak at a meeting on addressing the global inequality crisis, jointly organised by Brazil, South Africa, Norway and Spain.

Tarique will also attend a high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition. Bangladesh is expected to highlight issues including climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice.

He is also scheduled to attend a side event on the Rohingya crisis, where Bangladesh will seek greater international support for the repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

On September 24, Tarique will address the UN General Assembly. His speech is expected to cover Bangladesh’s democratic transition, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development and economic cooperation.

Youth and women’s empowerment, education and healthcare, the Rohingya crisis, equitable access to modern technology and reform of the multilateral system are also expected to feature in his address.

The prime minister is also scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at a high-level meeting on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, which will be held at UN Headquarters on September 24. The UN’s official schedule confirms the meeting for that day.

During the visit, Tarique is expected to participate in two Bangladesh-hosted side events, including one on maternal and newborn health and midwifery, where he is scheduled to speak as the chief guest.

He is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA with the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti. Discussions are expected to cover political and economic relations, trade and investment, development cooperation and the Rohingya crisis.

The 81st UN General Assembly’s general debate is scheduled to run from September 22 to 26 and on September 28 at UN Headquarters in New York.