World leaders see Tarique Rahman as ‘transformative leader’: Humaiun

World leaders are viewing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a “transformative leader” following Bangladesh’s democratic transition, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Wednesday.

“They are describing him as a transformative leader during courtesy meetings and bilateral talks,” he said at a press conference at the Bangladesh Pavilion on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye.

Humaiun said leaders were taking note of the prime minister’s democratic mandate and his role in leading a country with a population of around 180 to 200 million people.

Tarique Rahman attended the opening and plenary sessions of the World Leaders’ Summit on Wednesday and held courtesy meetings with the presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria and Somalia, the prime ministers of Moldova, Pakistan and Kuwait, the secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the mayor of London and the president of the Global Zero Waste Foundation.

He also held bilateral meetings with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng.

Humaiun said the meetings were held in a cordial atmosphere, with the leaders congratulating Tarique Rahman on Bangladesh’s democratic transition and his electoral mandate.

They also expressed interest in strengthening bilateral ties and working with Bangladesh on issues of international importance, he said.

Engagements with world leaders

During his meeting with the Brazilian president, Prime Minister Tarique invited him to visit Bangladesh, and the invitation was accepted, the state minister said. The Maldivian president also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh soon.

The Syrian president sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in rebuilding his country, particularly in development, investment, skilled manpower and employment generation, he said.

Humaiun said talks with the Pakistani prime minister covered regional stability, the situation in the Middle East and other issues of mutual interest.

During his meeting with the OIC secretary general, Tarique Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh’s firm position on Palestine and its continued support for a two-state solution, he said.

The mayor of London expressed interest in meeting Tarique Rahman, who had lived in London for many years, and they held a courtesy meeting, the state minister said.

He said the meeting with the Kuwaiti prime minister focused on the long-standing friendly relations between the two countries and ways to expand investment and economic partnership.

Uzbekistan, China talks

At his bilateral meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tarique discussed establishing direct air connectivity between Dhaka and Tashkent, simplifying visa procedures and expanding bilateral relations.

The state minister said the Uzbek president invited the prime minister to visit Uzbekistan, and Tarique Rahman assured him that he would consider visiting around the New Year.

At the meeting with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, the two sides discussed strengthening political and economic relations with China, one of Bangladesh’s key development partners, he said.

Humaiun said the talks focused particularly on increasing Chinese investment in energy, heavy industries, infrastructure and employment-generating sectors.

He said the possibility of Chinese investment in potential energy projects, including floating storage regasification units (FSRUs), was also discussed.

Both sides also exchanged views on the possibility of developing a regional economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China and Myanmar, and on China's support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Bangladesh expects China's cooperation in finding a lasting solution to the crisis, which, Humaiun said, would require bilateral and multilateral initiatives as well as coordinated international efforts.

Tarique-Erdoğan meeting

Referring to Tarique’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday, the state minister described it as highly fruitful, saying the two leaders discussed political relations, mutual cooperation and various international issues.

They also discussed the possibility of Bangladesh playing a role in promoting peace in the Muslim world, he said.

Humaiun said Bangladesh had extensive experience in UN peacekeeping operations and would positively consider opportunities to contribute to peace efforts in the Muslim world, taking its national interests into account.

Meanwhile, Tarique’s wife, Zubaida Rahman, attended a COP31 side event on zero-waste management. She highlighted the government’s policy initiatives to turn waste into resources and energy, as well as the need for technological cooperation in this area.

The state minister said Tarique Rahman would present Bangladesh’s position and priorities for addressing the impacts of climate change at the World Leaders’ Summit on Thursday. He is also scheduled to attend several other important programmes and meetings.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu were present at the press conference.