CA to embark UNGA visit Sept 22 Rohingya, reforms high on agenda
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus will depart Dhaka for New York on September 22 to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During the visit, he will deliver Bangladesh’s national statement, join several high-level meetings, and represent the country in a number of major global events.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday that Prof Yunus is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 26.
In his remarks, the Chief Adviser is expected to emphasize the interim government’s reform agenda, the aspirations that emerged from the July 2024 mass uprising, and its strong pledge to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections in February 2026.
The Foreign Adviser also confirmed that four senior political figures will be part of Bangladesh’s delegation this year: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen.
Other officials, including Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, were present at the briefing.
Hossain said this year’s UNGA holds special importance for Bangladesh, as on September 30 the UN will for the first time host a High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar.
The initiative stems from a proposal put forward by Prof Yunus last year, which received unanimous backing from member states.
Ahead of this conference, Bangladesh convened the first-ever “Partners’ Dialogue” in Cox’s Bazar last month, bringing together international partners and Rohingya representatives.
“This historic high-level meeting, along with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ earlier visit to Bangladesh this year, shows that the Rohingya crisis remains firmly on the world’s agenda despite numerous global challenges,” Hossain noted.
On September 25, the Chief Adviser will also attend the High-Level Meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth.
The Foreign Adviser underlined that Bangladesh’s youth, who led last year’s democratic movement, continue to be a central force behind the country’s reforms and vision for a new Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh’s participation will allow the interim government to share the hopes and ambitions of its young generation with the international community. Bangladesh will also contribute to discussions on Women, Peace and Security, highlighting its role as one of the world’s top peacekeeping contributors. Prof Yunus is further expected to raise critical global concerns such as peacekeeping, climate change and climate justice, the Sustainable Development Goals, illicit financial flows, safe migration and migrant rights, equitable technology transfer in the AI era, and the call for ceasefire and lasting peace in Palestine.
During the visit, the Chief Adviser will join the UN Secretary-General’s welcome reception, attend a reception hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, and hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders.
“As usual, the schedule remains flexible, and some meetings may be added or adjusted at the last minute,” Hossain remarked.
In parallel, Hossain will represent Bangladesh at a range of multilateral forums, including the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Peacebuilding Commission Ministerial, the G77 and China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network, the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting, BIMSTEC, CICA, and the LDC Ministerial.
“This UNGA session provides Bangladesh with a crucial chance to showcase its reform efforts, democratic transition, and national priorities,” Hossain stressed.
“We expect that under Prof Yunus’s leadership, the delegation will help broaden and deepen global partnerships on issues that matter most to Bangladesh.”
He added that Prof Yunus’s global stature has already attracted interview requests from leading international media, along with invitations to side events such as NRB Connect and Asia Society programmes.
The Chief Adviser will travel on a commercial flight and is scheduled to return to Dhaka on October 2.
The General Debate of the UNGA will run from September 23-27 and on September 29, with world leaders outlining their positions on global challenges under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.”