Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present before the world community his vision for Bangladesh’s future, ways to safeguard the country’s interests, uphold people’s rights and ensure inclusive development at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Monday.
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will carry the same sense of patriotism, emotion and aspirations as his father and mother as he presents to the world community Bangladesh’s vision for the future, ways to safeguard the country’s interests, uphold the rights of its people and ensure inclusive development,” he said.
Mahdi, also Prime Minister’s adviser, was speaking at a briefing for Bangladeshi journalists at the Hyatt Grand Central New York after the Prime Minister arrived in New York to attend the 81st session of the UNGA.
He said Tarique Rahman’s maiden address to the UNGA on September 24 will be historic as he will become the third member of his family to represent Bangladesh at the world body.
His father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had earlier addressed the UNGA and presented Bangladesh’s interests, vision and plans before the international community, the PMO spokesperson said.
“Following the historical continuity, their son, current Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman, is now going to represent the country,” he said.
Mahdi said the Prime Minister’s four working days in New York will include bilateral and multilateral meetings, high-level UN events and other diplomatic engagements.
He said the Prime Minister’s engagements during the visit will seek to strengthen Bangladesh’s relations with other countries while advancing issues of national interest.
The adviser said he will also attend several high-level UN events, including meetings on climate change, the Rohingya crisis, global inequality, and maternal and newborn health.
He said Tarique Rahman has made the visit deliberately short, with one day spent travelling to the United States and another day returning to Bangladesh. “So, altogether, it is a six-day visit, with only four working days in between,” he said.
Mahdi said the Prime Minister’s official entourage comprises 35 members, including ministers, state ministers, advisers and special assistants, along with essential personnel for security, media and personal duties.
He said the relatively small delegation was in line with the government’s approach to keeping the visit focused on work rather than ceremony.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir, who also spoke at the briefing, said the Prime Minister’s main objective in New York is to address the UNGA and present Bangladesh’s new vision and priorities to the international community.
“The main focus is addressing the United Nations General Assembly and presenting Bangladesh’s democratic transition and the policies and plans for a new Bangladesh,” he said.
Kobir said the Prime Minister will also hold a number of bilateral meetings with heads of government and participate in high-level meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.
“On the sidelines of the United Nations, there will be meetings with heads of government and ministers from different countries. We will provide you with updates every day on the Prime Minister’s engagements,” he said.
The Prime Minister is scheduled to begin his formal UNGA engagements on Tuesday by attending a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegation.
He will then join the opening session of the 81st General Assembly at the UN Headquarters.
Asked whether the Prime Minister will have a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump, the state minister said the main purpose of the visit is to attend the UNGA.
“Bilateral visits are arranged separately at a time convenient for both sides. The purpose of this visit is the United Nations, so there may not be much scope for a separate bilateral discussion,” he said.
Mahdi said the Prime Minister will return to Bangladesh after completing his engagements without extending the visit.
He said the government’s team in New York will provide journalists with regular updates on the Prime Minister’s meetings and activities.
The briefing was also attended by Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Bangladesh UN Mission’s Deputy Permanent Representative Wahiduzzaman.
The Prime Minister arrived in New York on Monday evening after a stopover in Istanbul. He is staying at the Hyatt Grand Central New York during his visit.