New York BNP organises rally as PM prepares to address UN General Assembly in Bangla

Niaz Mahmud from New York (USA)

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s maiden address to the United Nations General Assembly has generated widespread interest and enthusiasm among expatriate Bangladeshis in New York, with local leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organising a rally ahead of his much-anticipated speech.

The rally was organised by the New York BNP, with local BNP leaders and activists taking part under the leadership of BNP International Affairs Secretary Md. Anwar Hossain Khokon and Golam Farooq Shahin, Special Assistant to the BNP Chairman’s foreign affairs advisory committee.

The participants expressed enthusiasm over the prime minister’s scheduled address at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, which is set to be delivered in Bengali.

According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the General Debate as the 11th speaker in the afternoon session. His speech will focus on Bangladesh’s priorities and concerns before the international community.

The prime minister is expected to highlight issues including climate change, global peace and security, sustainable development, economic cooperation, humanitarian concerns and the Rohingya crisis.

The prospect of the prime minister delivering his address in Bangla has added particular significance to the occasion among expatriate Bangladeshis in New York. BNP supporters gathered in the city to demonstrate their support and mark his participation in the UNGA.

The rally also reflected the heightened interest among members of the Bangladeshi community in the prime minister’s international engagements during his visit to New York.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and has since participated in a series of high-level meetings and diplomatic engagements with world leaders and representatives of international organisations.

With expatriate Bangladeshis closely following the proceedings, the prime minister’s first UNGA speech has drawn considerable attention within the Bangladeshi community in New York as he presents Bangladesh’s priorities and vision before the international community.