Niaz Mahmud from New York (USA)
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York on Monday to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, with Bangladesh preparing to place its renewed democratic journey, the Rohingya crisis, climate change and economic diplomacy at the centre of its international engagements.
The prime minister will deliver his maiden address to the UN General Assembly on September 24 in Bangla, marking his first appearance at the UNGA as Bangladesh’s head of government.
The visit comes at a significant time for Bangladesh as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the 81st session of the General Assembly.
From New York, where the UNGA high-level segment is bringing together world leaders, the focus among the Bangladeshi delegation and diplomats is now turning to the prime minister’s address and a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings scheduled during the visit.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, at a curtain-raiser press conference in Dhaka on Sunday, said the prime minister would highlight Bangladesh’s renewed democratic journey, rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
Youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, the Rohingya crisis, equitable access to modern technology and reform of the multilateral system will also feature in his UN engagements.
The prime minister’s address is expected to provide the international community with an overview of the government’s priorities and Bangladesh’s position on a range of global issues.
Rohingya issue high on agenda
The Rohingya crisis will remain one of the major diplomatic priorities during the visit.
Tarique Rahman will attend a Bangladesh-hosted side event on the Rohingya crisis on September 23. Bangladesh is expected to seek stronger international support for the early repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The government has consistently maintained that the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only lasting solution to the crisis.
During his stay in New York, the prime minister is also scheduled to meet the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
These meetings are expected to provide Bangladesh with an opportunity to discuss the humanitarian situation in the camps, the need for international assistance and the prospects for repatriation.
Climate diplomacy gains importance
Climate change will be another key area of Bangladesh’s UNGA diplomacy.
On September 23, the prime minister will attend a high-level meeting titled “Climate Action and the Just Transition”, convened at the initiative of UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
On September 24, he will deliver the opening remarks at a high-level meeting on the threats posed by sea-level rise.
For Bangladesh, a climate-vulnerable country, issues such as climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage and climate justice remain important priorities in international negotiations.
The prime minister is expected to use the UN platform to highlight the challenges faced by vulnerable countries and call for stronger international cooperation.
Bilateral meetings
Apart from the main UNGA programme, Tarique Rahman is scheduled to hold a series of bilateral meetings with foreign leaders and senior representatives of international organisations.
He is scheduled to meet the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti.
The discussions are expected to cover bilateral relations, trade and investment, development cooperation and other issues of mutual interest.
The prime minister will also meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the President of the European Council and the President of the World Bank Group.
Meetings with senior UN officials dealing with Myanmar, refugees and human rights are also on the schedule.
Investment, jobs on economic agenda
Economic diplomacy will form another important part of the New York visit.
According to the foreign secretary, the prime minister will hold meetings with senior representatives of Meta, Wall Street and other business organisations.
Bangladesh is expected to highlight opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and technology, as well as human-resource development and skills training.
The government also wants to attract investment and create more quality employment opportunities, particularly for the country’s growing young population.
The meetings therefore provide an opportunity to present Bangladesh not only as a participant in global political discussions but also as a potential destination for investment and economic cooperation.
Busy schedule in New York
The prime minister’s official UN programme begins on September 22 with a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of state and government.
He will subsequently attend the opening of the high-level segment and a reception hosted by the US president.
On September 23, he will participate in meetings on global inequality and climate action and attend the Bangladesh-hosted Rohingya side event.
On September 24, all eyes will be on the General Assembly hall when Tarique Rahman delivers his maiden UNGA speech in Bangla.
He will also attend the high-level meeting on sea-level rise and a Bangladesh-hosted event on maternal and newborn health and midwifery.
The prime minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on the night of September 25.
For Bangladesh, the week in New York will therefore be more than a series of ceremonial engagements. It will provide a major international platform for the government to articulate its political and development priorities, seek wider support for resolving the Rohingya crisis, press for stronger climate action and pursue new avenues for trade, investment and economic cooperation.
As the UNGA high-level week gets underway, Bangladesh’s delegation is preparing to put these priorities before a global audience, with the prime minister’s September 24 address set to be the central moment of the visit.
