PM Intensifies Diplomatic Engagement at COP31

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stepped up Bangladesh's diplomatic engagement on Wednesday, exchanging greetings with several world leaders and holding bilateral meetings with foreign dignitaries on the sidelines of the World Leaders' Summit of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the UN climate convention in Antalya, Türkiye.

The prime minister arrived at the summit venue at 10:10am local time and was welcomed by the organisers, his Deputy Press Secretary said.

Before the opening ceremony, Tarique joined heads of state and government and representatives of international organisations at the Leaders' Lounge, where they exchanged greetings and held informal discussions on issues of mutual interest, reports BSS.

Among those he met were Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Moldovan Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

He also exchanged greetings with members of the Indonesian delegation, including its head, Hashim Djojohadikusumo.

Later, Tarique held courtesy meetings with Djojohadikusumo, OIC Secretary General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and Zero Waste Foundation President Samed Agirbas.

In a separate engagement, the prime minister held a 30-minute bilateral meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the summit venue, beginning at 2:45pm local time.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen Bangladesh-Uzbekistan relations, address the challenges posed by climate change and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, Hasan Shiplu said.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir attended the meeting.

Later, at 4:30pm local time, Tarique met Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng for bilateral talks on the sidelines of the climate summit. Their discussions covered issues of mutual interest, including Chinese investment in Bangladesh and cooperation in tackling climate change. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir was also present.

The prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo during his summit engagements.

Tarique is scheduled to address a COP31 plenary session today. He is also expected to hold further bilateral meetings and pay courtesy calls on several world leaders on the sidelines of the summit.

A day before the summit opened, on Tuesday, he held a 30-minute bilateral meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Maxx Royal Hotel.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen Bangladesh-Türkiye relations and highlighted the importance of cooperation on shared concerns, particularly the challenges posed by climate change.

Tarique arrived in Antalya on Tuesday for a three-day official visit.

The summit, which concludes today, has brought together heads of state and government, representatives of international organisations and climate experts to discuss global climate challenges and strengthen international cooperation.