Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today exchanged greetings with heads of state and government and top representatives of international organisations ahead of the opening ceremony of the World Leaders’ Summit at the 31st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-31) to the UN climate convention.

The Prime Minister arrived at the summit venue at 10:10 am local time, where he was welcomed by the organisers, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

He said world leaders gathered at the Leaders’ Lounge before the opening session and held brief, informal conversations on various issues of mutual interest. 

Heads of state and government and representatives of international organisations exchanged greetings with each other, he said, adding the Prime Minister also took part in the cordial exchanges and short conversations with the world leaders.

The Prime Minister exchanged greetings with OIC Secretary General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and Kuwait Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

He also exchanged greetings with members of the Indonesian delegation, including its head Hashim Djojohadikusumo. 

Tarique Rahman later held courtesy meetings with Djojohadikusumo, the OIC secretary general and Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Agirbas on the sidelines of the summit.

The Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo were present. 

Heads of state and government, representatives of international organisations and climate experts are attending the summit, which runs through November 12. 
Tackling climate change and strengthening international cooperation are key issues on the agenda. 

The Prime Minister will address a plenary session on November 12. On the sideline of the summit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and courtesy call on several world leaders. 

On Tuesday, a day before the summit began, he held a 30-minute bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Maxx Royal Hotel.

They discussed the ways of strengthening relations between the two countries and stressed joint cooperation on issues of mutual interest and on tackling the risks of climate change.  

The Prime Minister arrived in Antalya on Tuesday on a three-day official visit.