PM to outline new vision for Bangladesh at UNGA: Humaiun

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Sunday that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present Bangladesh’s new national vision and outline its future direction before world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York later this month.

“The prime minister will present Bangladesh’s new outlook and vision, what the new Bangladesh will look like,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry.

Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave for New York on 21 September and stay there until 26 September, with a packed programme including his UNGA address and meetings with world leaders.

In his speech, the prime minister will highlight Bangladesh’s democratic transition and the election through which the new government came to power. 

He will also set out his vision for the country and its ambition to play a more active and constructive role in promoting global peace, sustainable solutions and efforts to resolve international crises.

Domestic priorities, including poverty reduction, restoring confidence in the economy and creating new economic opportunities, will also feature in the address. 

Bangladesh’s leadership on climate action, particularly its call for greater climate finance, will be another key focus.

The Rohingya crisis will remain high on the agenda, with Bangladesh planning a high-level discussion and a side event at the UN to draw renewed international attention to the protracted crisis and mobilise stronger global support for its resolution.

“We will organise a side event on the Rohingya issue,” Humaiun said, adding that Bangladesh would continue efforts to keep the crisis on the international agenda.

Speaking about Bangladesh’s relations with India, the state minister said Bangladesh wants to reset its relations with the neighbouring country and move beyond the nature of ties maintained over the past 15 years.

“Therefore, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman should make a bilateral visit, rather than travel there as part of a multilateral engagement,” he said

When reporters sought his attention about the chief whip’s recent statement that 101 agreements signed with India were being re-examined, he said the agreements were being scrutinised and reviewed through the parliamentary process. 

“This is a matter under the chief whip’s purview. He will be able to give you the correct answer on this,” he added.

If there is any plan to prime minister’s meeting with his Indian counterpart on the UNGA sideline, Kobir said India is simply another neighbouring country with which we want good bilateral relations.

“Whenever we need to hold bilateral or multilateral discussions with someone, we will certainly do so. But it is not possible to meet everyone on the sidelines. We will, however, have many invitations and discussions with many countries,” he said.

Asked about possible bilateral meetings, including one with US President Donald Trump, Humaiun said such engagements on the sidelines of major international conferences were often finalised at the last moment.

“The main purpose of the prime minister’s visit is to address the United Nations General Assembly,” he said.

Details of confirmed bilateral meetings will be announced later.