Prime Minister set to visit US on Sept 21 for UN General Assembly

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is likely to visit the United States on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Following his participation at the UN session in New York, he is also scheduled to visit San Francisco.

Officials concerned stated that preparations are currently underway at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ahead of the Prime Minister’s US visit. The process of obtaining US visas for his entourage is also in progress.

In this regard, an official note verbale has been dispatched from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the US Embassy in Dhaka.

Officials noted that this will mark his first participation in the UN General Assembly as Prime Minister. During the session, he will deliver a speech at the General Assembly and is also expected to attend various side events organized alongside the main assembly.

During his nine-day tour, the Prime Minister plans to travel to San Francisco outside his UN engagements, where he is scheduled to attend an exchange-of-views meeting with expatriate Bangladeshis.

This year's UN General Assembly session holds additional significance for Bangladesh. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is set to assume the responsibilities of President of the General Assembly on September 8. Consequently, both the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh will play key roles in this major international forum during the session.

Preparations for the Prime Minister's US visit began following his official trips to Malaysia and China. Discussions were previously underway regarding a potential bilateral visit to India prior to this trip.

However, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Saleh Shibli stated that a final decision regarding that visit has not yet been taken, telling reporters on Friday that Bangladesh has not yet reached a decision concerning the India tour.

Further details regarding various aspects of the visit will be made available once the final itinerary and schedule of the Prime Minister's US tour are officially released.