Tarique begins UNGA action
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman began his first day of engagements by joining the opening session of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York
Before it he also attended a breakfast reception hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for world leaders and their spouses.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday (22 September) morning joined the opening session of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the General Assembly Hall of the UN Headquarters in New York.
The breakfast was held at the North Dialogue Lounge at the UN headquarters at 8am local time on Tuesday, according to the prime minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. Tarique attended the reception with his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman.
At the start of the reception, world leaders and their spouses joined Guterres and his wife for a group photograph.
Tarique and Zubaida joined them on the stage, exchanged greetings with the UN secretary-general and his wife, and took part in the photo session.
The breakfast marked the beginning of the prime minister’s official engagements at the UNGA, where he is scheduled to participate in a series of high-level meetings and events.
Tarique is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24, which will be his maiden address to the world body as prime minister.
His programme also includes bilateral and courtesy meetings with heads of government and state and leaders of international organisations.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would not hold a separate bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump during his ongoing New York visit.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Kobir said the prime minister’s visit was primarily multilateral and centred on the UN General Assembly.
“This is not a bilateral visit; it is a multilateral visit. The main objective is to attend the UN General Assembly,” he said.
Kobir said Trump had already written to Tarique expressing interest in a meeting, but such an engagement would constitute a bilateral meeting and could be arranged separately at a suitable time convenient to both leaders.
“You already know that Donald Trump has written to the prime minister and expressed interest in a meeting. However, that would be a bilateral meeting,” he said.
The state minister said Tarique would use the UN platform to outline Bangladesh’s future vision and strategic plans before the international community.
His programme in New York also includes bilateral and multilateral meetings with heads of state and government.
PM’s spokesperson Mahdi Amin at the same press conference said Tarique would present Bangladesh’s vision for the future, national interests and the aspirations of its people, with particular emphasis on inclusive development.
“Carrying the patriotism, emotions, sentiments and aspirations of the people, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present before the global community what Bangladesh’s vision for the future should be, how the country’s interests can be safeguarded and how inclusive development can be ensured,” he said.
Kobir’s comments are consistent with earlier remarks that the primary purpose of Tarique’s New York trip is his UNGA address, while bilateral meetings are being arranged separately on the sidelines.
Earlier, Tarique Rahman arrived in New York on Monday evening to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
A Turkish Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage landed at John F Kennedy International Airport at around 6:20pm New York time, according to the prime minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony.
He was received at the airport by Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Irene Zubaida Khan and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam before being escorted by motorcade to the Grand Hyatt New York, where he is staying during the visit.
Bangladeshi expatriates, BNP leaders and activists gathered outside the airport and along the route to welcome the prime minister.
Supporters carrying banners, posters and festoons chanted slogans as the motorcade passed through the streets, with Tarique waving back at them.
His UNGA programme includes meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, as well as meetings with senior UN and international officials.
Tarique is scheduled to deliver his UNGA address on Thursday, when he is expected to present Bangladesh’s vision, national interests and aspirations before the international community.
He has been allocated 15 minutes for the speech, although the scheduled time may change.
The prime minister is scheduled to leave New York for Dhaka on the night of September 25.
