Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus will depart for New York on September 22 to lead the Bangladesh delegation at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he is scheduled to deliver a keynote address and participate in a series of high-level meetings.
Yunus will speak at the UN General Debate on September 26, highlighting the interim government’s achievements over the past year and reaffirming its commitment to democratic reforms ahead of the national elections slated for February 2026, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain announced at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy.
The foreign adviser also confirmed that four political figures will accompany Yunus as part of the official delegation. These include BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, senior BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen.
During his visit, Yunus is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with various global leaders on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The schedule for these meetings is currently being finalised.
He is scheduled to return to Dhaka on October 2.
This year’s General Debate will take place from September 23 to 27 and on September 29. Heads of state and government from across the globe will outline their national priorities amid a complex landscape of global challenges, including the climate crisis, armed conflicts, and threats to human rights.
The theme for the 80th session, “Better Together: 80 Years and Beyond for Peace, Development, and Human Rights”, underscores the importance of solidarity and multilateral cooperation. UNGA President Annalena Baerbock has placed particular emphasis on unity and collective action in confronting today’s shared global threats.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, reflecting on the legacy of the United Nations, remarked: “Eighty years ago, from the ashes of war, the world planted a seed of hope… peace is possible when humanity stands together.”
On September 22, Yunus is expected to attend a special high-level meeting marking the UN’s 80th anniversary, which will feature reflections from world leaders on the organisation’s legacy and its role in shaping a more inclusive global order.
He will also participate in the High-Level International Conference on Palestine, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, which will focus on advancing the two-state solution and mobilizing international support for peace efforts in the region.
Yunus will join other leaders at the Climate Ambition Summit on September 24, where countries will present updated climate action plans ahead of COP30 in Brazil. The summit aims to accelerate global efforts in line with the Paris Agreement and highlight opportunities in the transition to clean energy.
Another key engagement will be the high-level plenary session on September 30 addressing the Rohingya crisis. The meeting will assess the ongoing humanitarian situation in Myanmar and explore practical steps toward a durable and dignified repatriation process for displaced Rohingya and other minorities.
At the media briefing, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present. They emphasized the significance of Bangladesh’s presence at this year’s UNGA as an opportunity to reassert the country’s commitment to democratic transition, human rights, and sustainable development.
