Prime Minister to Leave for New York Monday to Attend UNGA

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to leave Dhaka for New York on Monday (21 September) to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). He is scheduled to deliver his address to the UNGA on 24 September.

Foreign Ministry sources said the prime minister’s visit to New York and the United States has been shortened, with Tarique Rahman scheduled to depart New York for Dhaka on the night of 25 September, a day after his UNGA speech.

Several senior ministry officials said the initial itinerary had the prime minister staying in the United States from 21 to 29 September, with plans also being considered for a visit to San Francisco from New York.

Government sources said the delegation accompanying Tarique Rahman on the shortened New York trip has also been kept small. The brief visit and reduced delegation, compared with those of previous governments, are in line with the government’s emphasis on austerity.

During his stay in New York, the prime minister is expected to participate in several high-level UN meetings, attend Bangladesh-hosted events and hold bilateral meetings with leaders from various countries.

Key UN meetings will address issues including development, pandemic preparedness, rising sea levels and nuclear disarmament.

Bangladesh will also host several side events during the 81st UNGA session, including discussions on the Rohingya crisis.

Diplomatic sources in New York said preparations are underway for Tarique Rahman to hold bilateral meetings with leaders on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Among those expected to meet the prime minister are Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.

Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, European Council President António Costa, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson.

During his visit, the prime minister is also expected to attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump.