PM leaves Istanbul for Dhaka

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Istanbul for Dhaka this evening, concluding his three-day official visit to Turkiye to attend the COP31 World Leaders’ Summit.

"A Turkish Airlines flight carrying the prime minister, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage departed Istanbul airport at 7:30 pm local time," said PM's Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The flight is expected to land at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 5:50 am Bangladesh time tomorrow.

The prime minister had earlier arrived in Istanbul from Antalya, landing at Istanbul Airport at 6:30 pm.

Ambassador Subutay Yuksel, a high-ranking official at Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saw him off at Antalya Airport, from where he departed at 4:30 pm local time.

During the visit, Tarique Rahman addressed the High-Level Segment of the COP31 World Leaders’ Summit and visited the Bangladesh Pavilion and the Green Zone of the conference, where environment-friendly jute products were displayed.

On the sidelines of the summit, he held bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and UK Foreign Secretary Edward Miliband.

He also paid courtesy calls on the presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria and Somalia, and the prime ministers of Moldova, Pakistan and Kuwait. He also met the Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Mayor of London and representatives of international organisations.

The discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, addressing climate change, enhancing diplomatic cooperation and finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

The prime minister and Dr Zubaida Rahman attended a dinner hosted by President Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan in honour of the world leaders attending COP31.

Dr Zubaida also attended a luncheon hosted by Emine Erdogan in Antalya for the spouses of heads of state and government and other distinguished guests.