PM holds 30 engagements, 11 bilateral talks during NY visit: Mahdi Amin

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held 30 official engagements, including bilateral meetings with representatives of 11 countries, during his four-day visit to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, PM’s Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin said.

Speaking at a press briefing in New York, Mahdi said the meetings focused on Bangladesh’s national interests, trade and investment, manpower exports, energy security, regional cooperation, the Rohingya crisis, climate change and global peace.

Tarique Rahman attended eight UNGA-related events, four high-level side events and 11 bilateral meetings, alongside engagements with international organisations and prominent personalities.

On Friday, he met senior Wall Street investors at a JPMorgan Chase-hosted breakfast to promote investment opportunities in Bangladesh. He also met International Peace Institute President Kevin Rudd and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

The prime minister separately met the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. Discussions included the interests of Bangladeshi workers, manpower exports, energy security, mineral-sector cooperation and investment. All three countries invited Tarique to visit.

Mahdi said the prime minister also met World Bank President Ajay Banga, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop and UNHCR chief Barham Salih.

Bangladesh hosted high-level events on the Rohingya crisis and maternal, newborn health and midwifery, while Tarique Rahman addressed discussions on climate change, just transition and sea-level rise.

Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, attended eight high-level engagements and spoke at four, including the UN Platform of Women Leaders and the First Spouses’ Dialogue.

Mahdi said the prime minister and his delegation took part in around 80 engagements during the visit, with Bangladesh’s national interests prioritised throughout.