The reasons why Yunus-Biden meet at the United Nations is significant

Dr Muhammad Yunus joined the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly for the first time as the chief advisor of the interim government following the ousting of Sheikh Hasina. In this new capacity, he will address the UN assembly, presenting a vision of a transformed Bangladesh to familiar faces. Excitement within the Bangladeshi community in New York is palpable, particularly in anticipation of the events celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's membership in the United Nations. Dr. Yunus is a well-known figure in the United States, which gives him the advantage of established relationships with world leaders, allowing him to navigate discussions without having to reestablish legitimacy for the new government.

The contrast with Sheikh Hasina's previous appearance at the 78th General Session last year is notable. Her past foreign trips, especially to the United States, have been characterized by lavish delegations, often exceeding 150 individuals, including government officials, supporters, artists, writers, and journalists—all funded by the government. Despite her lengthy tenure as Prime Minister, she has struggled to cultivate strong relationships with high-level political and diplomatic leaders in the U.S., having not engaged in significant meetings with them during her time in office. However, she was invited to a dinner hosted by President Joe Biden, along with other heads of state, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic engagement.

Hasina's visit to the U.S. last year had two main objectives: to secure support for Putul's election and to address concerns surrounding the investigation involving her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy. During this visit, Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, met with Hasina—reportedly at the suggestion of an influential Indian businessman. Media reports indicated that Sullivan expressed his inability to intervene in Joy's investigation. Notably, while Joy had previously played a prominent role in Hasina's tours, he has not accompanied her at all in the past year.

In contrast, Dr. Yunus is traveling to the 2024 UN session with a smaller delegation. Following Hasina's ouster, she has found refuge in Delhi, marking a dramatic shift in circumstances within just a year. President Biden has requested a private meeting with Dr. Yunus, highlighting his relevance on the international stage.

The key aspects of Dr. Yunus's mission to the U.S. include promoting the new generation revolution in Bangladesh, seeking support for the reform initiatives of the interim government, and reinforcing political and economic ties with the United States. Additionally, he aims to foster good relations with India and engage with international organizations to aid in Bangladesh's development.

Among these topics, the discussion surrounding India-Bangladesh relations—especially following Hasina's departure from power—emerges as both complex and urgent. Interestingly, Indian Prime Minister Modi has chosen to avoid a meeting with Yunus.

The Prime Minister of India will depart New York before the Chief Advisor arrives, suggesting that Modi may be uncertain about the evolving political dynamics in Bangladesh. Hasina's sensitive position in Delhi is another reason Modi might prefer to avoid direct discussions with Yunus at this time. However, a meeting is confirmed between Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor, Touhid Hossain, and India’s Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, where they are expected to address these critical issues.

In addition, Dr. Yunus is set to meet with the Prime Minister of Pakistan in New York, sparking considerable curiosity. While Bangladesh currently lacks any formal bilateral relationship with Pakistan, there could be potential benefits from their discussions.

This year's theme for the UN General Assembly debate—“Leaving No One Behind: Working Together to Advance Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity for Present and Future Generations”—holds particular significance. It highlights the urgency of addressing global crises, conflicts arising from a lack of multilateralism, human rights violations, rapid advancements in science and technology, and the need for coordinated efforts to tackle various challenges and implement sustainable development.

The session is especially important for Bangladesh as it marks the 50th anniversary of its membership in the United Nations. To commemorate this milestone, Bangladesh is hosting a high-level reception at UN Headquarters on September 24, which will be attended by heads of delegations, top UN officials, and various heads of state and organizations. This occasion provides an opportunity for Bangladesh to showcase its achievements and foster international cooperation.

The Chief Advisor enjoys a global reputation, attracting requests for interviews from numerous prestigious news organizations. Given his limited three-day visit to New York, the Ministry of External Affairs faces challenges in accommodating all requests. On September 27, the Chief Advisor will address the General Debate at the United Nations General Assembly. In his speech, he plans to outline the recent unprecedented popular uprising in Bangladesh and his commitment to establishing a state system focused on the welfare and interests of its people.

He is expected to cover key topics such as Bangladesh’s pivotal role in peacekeeping operations, the impacts of climate change and the quest for climate justice, global conflicts, the Rohingya crisis, and the challenges developing countries face in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additional issues likely to be addressed include the prevention of resource trafficking, ensuring safe immigration, providing migrants access to essential services, the sustainable transfer of technology in the context of generative artificial intelligence, and the situation in Palestine.

The Chief Advisor is also scheduled to attend several bilateral meetings, engaging with leaders such as the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal, the President of the European Commission, the U.S. Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the President of the World Bank Group, and the Administrator of USAID. Discussions are underway to arrange additional meetings with the President of the United States, the President of Italy, and the Crown Prince of Kuwait, as well as a potential meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister.

During this session of the UN General Assembly, U.S. President Joe Biden and the Chief Advisor will have a bilateral meeting, marking a significant diplomatic engagement as it is the first such meeting in over three decades between a Bangladeshi leader and a head of state or government. In addition to President Biden, Dr. Yunus is expected to meet with other notable leaders, including the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif; the Prime Minister of Nepal, KP Sharma Oli; Crown Prince Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain; Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Dick Schooff; U.S. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken; and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

Additionally, the Chief Advisor will engage with key figures such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, World Bank President Ajay Banga, International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, U.S. Agency for International Development Director Samantha Power, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Each of these discussions will address UN priority issues that are critically important to Bangladesh.

The country is poised to actively participate in all relevant events concerning these topics. Bangladesh views multilateral diplomacy, particularly through the United Nations, as a vital avenue for protecting its national interests. Overall, it is anticipated that the Chief Advisor’s engagement in this session will expand and strengthen international cooperation on issues pertinent to Bangladesh's national interests.

Rayhan Ahmed Tapader: Researcher and columnist