Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s four-day visit to New York for the 81st United Nations General Assembly highlighted Bangladesh’s national interests and sovereignty while presenting the country’s aspirations for partnership, investment, trade and inclusive development before the international community, 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 world community in different 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.
Mahdi, also spokesperson to the Prime Minister's Office, said the prime minister took part in 30 official programs during his four-day stay in New York, held bilateral meetings with 11 countries and delivered six speeches at different events besides his main address to the General Debate of the 81st UNGA.
He said 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 during the visit, taking the total number of bilateral and multilateral engagements involving Bangladesh’s representatives to more than 80, Mahdi said.
A smaller team has also travelled to California to pursue cooperation with the US technology industry and academia, he added.
Of the prime minister’s 30 official programs, 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 maiden UNGA address, the prime minister presented 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 outlined the government’s three-R strategy of recovery, restoration and reconstruction and presented initiatives including the Family Card, Farmer Card, Health Card and a proposed Universal Card.
Mahdi said the prime minister also highlighted the country’s plans to develop human resources, create employment, 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 the benefits of development reach people across all sections of society,” Mahdi said.
Climate action was another major focus of the visit. At high-level meetings on climate action and just transition and sea-level rise, the prime minister presented Bangladesh’s 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 said.
The prime minister also proposed stronger international action on climate resilience, climate finance and the Loss and Damage Fund.
Mahdi said at a Bangladesh-co-organized high-level event on midwifery and maternal health, the prime minister outlined plans to recruit 100,000 healthcare workers, with women expected to make up 80% of the new recruits, and stressed expanding healthcare access from the union level to upazila, district and divisional levels.
The Rohingya crisis also received particular attention, he said, adding that at a high-level side event co-convened by Bangladesh and The Gambia, the prime minister presented a five-point roadmap for early, safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation, alongside measures on humanitarian support, rights and security, justice and accountability, and regional and international cooperation.
Mahdi said the roadmap was positively received by the 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 the stakeholders present at the UN event. The five-point roadmap presented by the prime minister was broadly accepted. Based on future conversations with the UN and other stakeholders, Bangladesh’s engagement will be strengthened, and the roadmap may serve as an important framework for those discussions,” he said.
On bilateral diplomacy, Mahdi said the prime minister’s meetings with 11 countries covered equality, fairness, dignity, people-to-people relations, health, education, travel, manpower exports, trade and investment.
Discussions with Middle Eastern countries placed particular emphasis on manpower exports, trade and investment, while meetings with South Asian countries focused on regional cooperation, stability and democracy, he said.
He said the prime minister also held meetings with 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 the prime minister on his electoral victory and appreciated Bangladesh’s contribution to UN peacekeeping and its humanitarian role in hosting the Rohingyas.
The World Bank discussed technical and financial support for Bangladesh’s development programs, 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, he said.
The adviser said the prime minister also met Boeing representatives against the backdrop of the government’s agreement to purchase 11 aircraft.
He said prime minister’s spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, also had a busy schedule, participating in eight programs and delivering three speeches. She attended the Women Leaders platform, the First Spouses’ Dialogue, the midwifery event, a program hosted by US First Lady Melania Trump and the UN Secretary-General’s breakfast, among others, he added.
Asked what message Bangladesh conveyed to the international community, Mahdi said the prime minister presented the country’s democratic journey and plans for a self-reliant, modern and welfare-oriented state, while also outlining Bangladesh’s role in promoting global peace.
“He (PM) made it clear that Bangladesh wants bilateral and multilateral cooperation based on equality, fairness, mutual interest and dignity, while ensuring the rule of law, human rights and freedom of expression,” said Mahdi.
He said the prime minister’s UNGA visit was ultimately 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 Secretary Hasan Shiplu, Deputy Press Secretary Md Suzauddhowla (Sujan Mahmud), Assistant Press Secretary Shahriar Pamir and Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque were present at the press conference.
