PM returns home after UNGA tour

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home on Sunday morning after completing a five-day visit to New York, where he attended the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The prime minister, accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage, landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8:19am after concluding his engagements in New York.
“An Emirates flight EK582 carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage departed Dubai International Airport at 2:01am (Dubai time) for Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport,” PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.
The prime minister left New York on 25 September (New York time) after delivering his maiden address to the General Debate of the 81st UNGA and completing a packed programme of bilateral and high-level engagements with world leaders, UN officials, development partners and representatives of international organisations.
Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Whip Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu, local MP SM Jahangir Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar received the Prime Minister at the airport.
PM highlights Bangladesh’s interests, sovereignty
Speaking at a briefing at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport following the visit, Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin said the UN trip had been highly fruitful and had raised Bangladesh’s profile on the global stage.
He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman strongly presented Bangladesh’s interests, sovereignty, independence and potential during his four-day UNGA visit.
Mahdi Amin said the visit was significant as, after a long time, a head of government elected by the people of Bangladesh had represented the country on the world stage. He said heads of government and state from different countries had warmly received the prime minister.
He noted that Tarique Rahman completed the visit with a short schedule and a small delegation, taking part in 30 programmes.
He said the prime minister participated in eight major UN events and delivered speeches at seven of them, including what he described as a historic address to the UN.
Focus on education, health and AI
Describing the prime minister’s UN speech, Mahdi Amin said Tarique Rahman outlined policies and plans covering education, healthcare, agriculture, employment, technology and artificial intelligence, as well as issues concerning young people and women.
He said the plans would be implemented gradually and added that the Prime Minister had not spoken only about Bangladesh’s development but had also made a call for world peace.
Referring to Bangladesh’s position on Palestine, the adviser said Bangladesh staged a walkout after the Israeli Prime Minister began his address at the UN, describing the move as a message from Bangladesh in favour of world peace.
He said the government was committed to drawing inspiration from the UN visit and working together to make Bangladesh self-reliant and self-sufficient.
Boeing deal prioritised Bangladesh’s interests
Responding to a question about the purchase of Boeing aircraft, Mahdi Amin said the decision had not been imposed on anyone and had been taken earlier based on bilateral interests.
He said the prime minister was not present when the agreement was signed, but representatives of the two countries signed it with Bangladesh’s interests given the highest priority.
The prime minister’s spokesperson also said Bangladesh and the United States had signed a memorandum of understanding on “Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation” during the visit. The agreement was also concluded at a separate sideline meeting without the Prime Minister’s presence.
He said the prime minister held bilateral meetings and discussions with the leadership of 11 countries during the visit, apart from his programmes with the United States and the United Nations.
According to Mahdi Amin, Bangladesh’s sovereignty, national interests and the welfare of its people were prioritised in all those discussions.
Energy security, Rohingya crisis discussed
Mahdi Amin said energy security was a key focus of discussions with leaders of Middle Eastern countries. The talks covered ways to address the current crisis through coordinated efforts and negotiations.

He also said Bangladesh held discussions with ASEAN countries and international organisations working on human rights and displaced people over the Rohingya crisis.
According to him, each country and organisation assured Bangladesh of its support in resolving the crisis. He said the international community had praised Bangladesh’s humanitarian approach in providing shelter to Rohingyas.
Govt vows action against lawbreakers
Asked about the recent attack on a healthcare centre in Mirpur, Mahdi Amin said nine people had been arrested in connection with the incident, as far as he knew.
He said the government’s position was clear and that anyone using the name of government officials or anyone associated with the party would face the full force of the law.
“We are already seeing that progress,” he said, adding that law enforcement agencies and the Home Ministry would take whatever measures were necessary to ensure the law was enforced more swiftly.
Mahdi Amin said the government was taking prompt action after investigating isolated or sporadic incidents.