PM's participation in UNGA session historic: Foreign Secretary

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will leave for New York on Monday, September 21, to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. He will lead the Bangladesh delegation during the visit. After concluding his programmes in New York, he will leave for home on the night of September 25.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam conveyed this information at a press conference on Bangladesh's participation in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, led by the Prime Minister, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, September 20.

At the press conference, the Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh's participation in this year's session carries special importance in several respects.

First, this is the first participation of the current government at the highest global forum of the United Nations. Through this, an opportunity will be created to present the new government's political commitments and the outline of a future Bangladesh before the world.

Second, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will represent Bangladesh at the UN General Assembly for the first time.

Again, Bangladesh's Foreign Minister will preside over the same session. Therefore, this is a rare and historic moment for us on one hand, and a matter of special dignity and pride on the other.

Third, on the sidelines of the session, the Prime Minister will hold important meetings with heads of state and government of various countries and top officials of international organisations. These meetings will create new opportunities to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation.

Asad Alam Siam said the significance of this session is also great in the global context. Wars, conflicts and humanitarian crises in various regions of the world, and increasing geopolitical polarisation, have put international peace and the multilateral system to the test. At the same time, issues such as climate change, forced displacement and migration, food and energy security, global health risks, economic inequality, the financing gap for development, and ensuring the benefits of technological change reach everyone have become major challenges before the world today. Alongside this, time is also running out for implementing the 2030 Agenda. In such realities, restoring mutual trust among countries; peaceful resolution of disputes based on dialogue, diplomacy and international law; strengthening international cooperation; and making the multilateral system more effective and inclusive are expected to receive special importance.

The Foreign Secretary said the Prime Minister is going to attend this year's session keeping this global reality in mind. After reaching New York, he will begin his official programmes from September 22. In the morning, he will attend a welcome breakfast hosted by the UN Secretary-General for heads of state and government. He will then participate in the opening ceremony of this year's session along with other world leaders. In the evening, he will attend a reception hosted by the US President in honour of heads of state and government and their spouses.