UNGA visit opens new avenues for Bangladesh
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s maiden visit to the United Nations General Assembly has advanced Bangladesh’s diplomatic outreach, combining engagement on international conflicts, including the Palestinian question, with efforts to attract investment, expand trade and strengthen bilateral partnerships.
His five-day visit to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly concluded with 30 official engagements, including 11 bilateral meetings, an agreement to purchase 11 additional Boeing aircraft and civil nuclear cooperation.
His delegation also represented Bangladesh at around 80 programmes.
Tarique left John F Kennedy International Airport late on Friday for Dhaka via Dubai after delivering his maiden address to the General Assembly. His flight is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Sunday morning.
The visit went beyond the symbolism of his first UN appearance, offering an early indication of how the new government intends to position Bangladesh internationally following its democratic transition.
At the centre of the diplomatic programme was Tarique’s September 24 address to the General Assembly, in which he presented peace, dialogue and international cooperation as central principles of Bangladesh’s foreign policy.
He called for Middle East conflicts to be resolved through diplomacy rather than confrontation, while linking Bangladesh’s international role to domestic reconstruction.
Outlining the government’s three-R framework of Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction, he pledged to build a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented democratic Bangladesh.
The Palestinian question and the wider Middle East crisis featured prominently in Bangladesh’s diplomatic position, with Tarique emphasising dialogue and international cooperation as essential to resolving conflicts.
He also reiterated that safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar remained the only sustainable solution, calling for stronger international action to create conditions for voluntary return.
Meetings with UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih reinforced Bangladesh’s efforts to maintain international attention on the crisis.
In a separate meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appreciated Bangladesh’s sheltering of Rohingya refugees and contribution to UN peacekeeping.
They also discussed Bangladesh-UN cooperation, climate resilience and wider regional and international issues.
Climate diplomacy was another prominent element. Tarique addressed a high-level meeting on Climate Action and the Just Transition and later spoke about the threat posed by rising sea levels, which have direct implications for Bangladesh’s development, financing and resilience.
Economic diplomacy featured prominently, with Bangladesh seeking investment, technology and expanded commercial cooperation.
At a meeting with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Tarique discussed development priorities, economic progress and future areas of cooperation.
At a JPMorgan-hosted breakfast with Wall Street investors, he presented Bangladesh as open for business, highlighting opportunities in energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology, digital services, climate finance, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.
The government’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2034 was also highlighted.
One of the most tangible outcomes was Bangladesh’s agreement with Boeing to purchase 11 additional aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Biman and the US aircraft manufacturer signed the supplementary agreement on the sidelines of the UNGA. The order comprises five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and six Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
The purchase follows Biman’s earlier agreement this year to acquire 14 Boeing aircraft in a deal valued at around $3.7 billion, taking its planned Boeing acquisitions to 25 aircraft this year.
The airline has said the purchases form part of its long-term fleet modernisation and international network expansion strategy, supporting new routes and greater connectivity for expatriates, business travellers and tourists.
Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin said the aircraft were being purchased according to the country’s requirements as the aviation sector expanded and new routes were planned. A Boeing delegation subsequently paid a courtesy call on Tarique.
Tarique’s meetings reflected efforts to diversify Bangladesh’s external partnerships.
He met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss trade, investment and economic cooperation, alongside regional and international coordination.
Meetings with Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Maldives Vice-President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef focused on bilateral relations and regional cooperation.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic discussed trade, investment, skilled manpower, education, technology and multilateral coordination.
Tarique also met Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to discuss bilateral relations and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard on health and development cooperation.
His meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif covered bilateral relations and regional developments. Tarique later told journalists he would make plans to visit Pakistan.
On the final day, Tarique met Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Discussions covered Bangladeshi workers, manpower exports, energy security, mineral cooperation and investment. According to Mahdi Amin, all three countries invited Tarique to visit.
Tarique also met Gates Foundation Chief Executive Officer Mark Suzman to discuss child healthcare, vaccination, affordable vaccines, preventive care and health-system modernisation.
Bangladesh hosted or joined high-level discussions on Rohingya issues, maternal and newborn health, and midwifery.
The Prime Minister and his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, attended a welcome breakfast hosted by Guterres and a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump for General Assembly leaders, providing opportunities for contact alongside formal diplomacy.
