Tarique Rahman set to address UNGA at 3am Bangladesh time

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver his address in Bangla at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at 5:00pm local time on Thursday, corresponding to 3:00am Bangladesh time, according to Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin.

Mahdi Amin said Tarique Rahman would be the third member of his family to address the UNGA, following his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, describing the occasion as a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history.

“He will deliver the speech in Bangla, reflecting the emotions, aspirations and expectations of the people of Bangladesh,” Mahdi Amin said.

On the same day, the prime minister is also scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at a high-level meeting on addressing existential threats posed by rising sea levels.

He was invited to the meeting by the current UN General Assembly president and Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister.

The visit marks Tarique Rahman’s first trip to the United States since the BNP formed the government.

He is scheduled to leave New York for Bangladesh on the night of September 25 after completing his official programmes.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia and China as prime minister.