Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) highlighted Bangladesh’s national interests, sovereignty and aspirations for international partnership, investment, trade and inclusive development, 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 global community in various 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, reports BSS.
Mahdi, who is also spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said Tarique Rahman participated in 30 official programmes during his stay in New York, held bilateral meetings with 11 countries and delivered six speeches at different events in addition to his address to the UNGA General Debate.
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, taking the total number of bilateral and multilateral engagements involving Bangladesh representatives to more than 80, Mahdi said.
He added that a smaller team had also travelled to California to explore cooperation with the US technology sector and academia.
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 first UNGA address, Tarique Rahman outlined 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 presented the government’s three-R strategy of recovery, restoration and reconstruction and highlighted initiatives including the Family Card, Farmer Card, Health Card and a proposed Universal Card.
Mahdi said the prime minister also outlined plans to develop human resources, create jobs, 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 development benefits reach all sections of society,” Mahdi said.
Climate action was another major focus of the visit. At high-level meetings on climate action, just transition and sea-level rise, the Prime Minister highlighted 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 also called for stronger international action on climate resilience, climate finance and the Loss and Damage Fund.
Mahdi said at a Bangladesh-co-hosted high-level event on midwifery and maternal health, the prime minister announced plans to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers, with women expected to make up 80 per cent of the new recruits. He also stressed expanding healthcare access from union to upazila, district and divisional levels.
The Rohingya crisis also received significant attention during the visit, he said.
At a high-level side event co-convened by Bangladesh and The Gambia, Tarique Rahman presented a five-point roadmap for early, safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable Rohingya repatriation, along with measures on humanitarian support, rights and security, justice and accountability, and regional and international cooperation.
Mahdi said the roadmap received positive responses from stakeholders attending the event and could serve as a framework for future discussions.
“Myanmar was not directly engaged on that platform, but we spoke with all stakeholders present at the UN event. The five-point roadmap presented by the Prime Minister was broadly accepted. Based on future discussions with the UN and other stakeholders, Bangladesh’s engagement will be strengthened, and the roadmap may serve as an important framework,” he said.
On bilateral diplomacy, Mahdi said the prime minister’s meetings with 11 countries focused on equality, fairness, dignity, people-to-people relations, health, education, travel, manpower exports, trade and investment.
He said discussions with Middle Eastern countries mainly focused on manpower exports, trade and investment, while meetings with South Asian countries covered regional cooperation, stability and democracy.
The prime minister also met the UN Secretary-General, UN officials, the World Bank president, Gates Foundation representatives, International Peace Institute officials and leading Wall Street investors.
Mahdi said the UN Secretary-General congratulated Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory and appreciated Bangladesh’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and humanitarian support for Rohingya refugees.
He said the World Bank discussed technical and financial support for Bangladesh’s development programmes, while talks with around 25 leading Wall Street investors focused on investment in Bangladesh’s financial sector and the introduction of bonds and other financial instruments.
The adviser said the prime minister also met representatives of Boeing amid the government’s plan to purchase 11 aircraft.
Asked about the message Bangladesh conveyed to the international community, Mahdi said the prime minister highlighted the country’s democratic journey, plans for a self-reliant modern welfare state and its role in promoting global peace.
“He made it clear that Bangladesh wants bilateral and multilateral cooperation based on equality, fairness, mutual interest and dignity, while ensuring rule of law, human rights and freedom of expression,” he said.
Mahdi said the UNGA visit was aimed at presenting Bangladesh’s interests and potential while expanding opportunities for international partnership.
“Everywhere the Prime Minister went, Bangladesh’s national interests and sovereignty remained at the forefront. We want partnership, investment and trade with different countries so that we can ensure self-reliance, economic strength and inclusive development,” he said.
Prime minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, Prime Minister’s Speech Writer Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Press Secretaries Hasan Shiplu and Md Suzauddhowla (Sujan Mahmud), and Assistant Press Secretaries Shahriar Pamir and KM Nazmul Haque were present at the press conference.
