PM Highlighted Bangladesh’s Interests on Global Stage: Mahdi

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s national interests and priorities through a series of bilateral and multilateral engagements during his five-day visit to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, Prime Minister’s Adviser and Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after the prime minister returned home, Mahdi said the four working days in New York included 30 official engagements, comprising 11 bilateral meetings with different countries, eight UNGA-related programmes and 11 institutional engagements. The prime minister and members of his entourage together attended around 80 programmes during the visit.

Mahdi said Bangladesh’s national interests, trade and investment, manpower exports, energy security, regional cooperation, the Rohingya crisis, healthcare, climate change and international peace featured prominently in the meetings and programmes.

He said the prime minister firmly presented Bangladesh’s interests and potential to the international community while upholding the country’s sovereignty and independence.

The prime minister’s maiden address to the UN General Assembly was one of the key highlights of the visit. In his speech, he outlined government plans and priorities concerning education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, technology and artificial intelligence, as well as initiatives targeting women, youth and other sections of society.

Tarique also highlighted Bangladesh’s positions on global peace, the Palestinian issue, the Rohingya crisis, climate change and sustainable development. He presented the government’s vision for building a prosperous, self-reliant and people-oriented democratic Bangladesh.

Alongside the General Debate, the prime minister addressed or participated in several high-level events on the Rohingya crisis, climate action and a just transition, sea-level rise, and maternal, newborn health and midwifery.

During his bilateral engagements, the prime minister discussed issues including trade and investment, manpower exports, energy security and regional cooperation. He also held meetings with senior officials of the United Nations and other international organisations, as well as representatives of development and philanthropic institutions.

Mahdi said Bangladesh received assurances of support from different countries and organisations on issues of national interest. He also said several international organisations appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian role in hosting Rohingya refugees.

He noted that the prime minister also raised the issue of global peace during his UNGA engagements, alongside Bangladesh’s national priorities.

Mahdi said the government would now work to translate the policies, programmes and plans presented during the visit into concrete initiatives at home.

He described the New York visit as particularly significant because Tarique represented Bangladesh internationally as the head of a government elected by the people.

The prime minister returned to Dhaka on Sunday morning after completing the five-day New York visit, during which he delivered his maiden UNGA address and held a series of high-level bilateral and multilateral meetings.