PM to leave for US on September 21 to join UN session

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave for the United States on September 21 to participate in the United Nations General Assembly session. He will highlight Bangladesh’s new vision and priorities on the global stage during the visit.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir outlined various details of the prime minister’s US visit and the government’s policy positions at a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (September 13).

Humayun Kabir said the prime minister will hold multiple bilateral meetings with world leaders during the New York visit. He will also take part in several important side events. Bangladesh’s vision will be presented and various issues related to the country’s interests will be discussed in these meetings.

On bilateral relations with India, Humayun Kabir said, “Dhaka wants to build a new and effective relationship with India.”

Replying to a question on border killings, he said border killings will be stopped and related complications will be resolved through discussions via diplomatic channels.

At the press conference, Humayun Kabir criticised the appointment process of Saima Wazed Putul, former Regional Director of the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia region. He said, “She did not have the necessary qualifications to hold that post. The appointment process was flawed and the stench of corruption emerged from it.”

He further said Dhaka has decided to support the Maldives’ candidate in the next appointment at the World Health Organization.

Humayun Kabir informed that a special side event on resolving the Rohingya crisis will be organised during the prime minister’s US visit. He said the Rohingya issue will receive special importance in meetings with top world leaders.

On the recovery of money laundered abroad, Humayun Kabir said work has already begun to bring back funds illegally siphoned out of Bangladesh. The process of seeking international cooperation on this matter is also under way.