Tarique Rahman arrives in New York for first UNGA address as PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived in New York on Monday evening (September 21) to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he is scheduled to deliver his first address to the world body as Bangladesh’s prime minister on September 24.

A Turkish Airlines flight carrying Tarique, his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of his entourage landed at John F Kennedy International Airport about 6:20pm (local time) after a stopover in Istanbul.

Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Irene Zubaida Khan and Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam received the prime minister and his wife at the VIP lounge of Terminal 1. He was then taken by motorcade to the Hyatt Grand Central New York, where he is staying during the visit.

Tarique Rahman left Dhaka early Monday for New York, making the visit his first to the United States since taking office on February 17.

He had earlier visited Malaysia and China in June.

His UNGA programme begins Tuesday with a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of state and government, followed by the opening of the General Assembly. He is also scheduled to attend a reception hosted by US President Donald Trump for heads of delegation and their spouses.

On September 23, Tarique is scheduled to participate in discussions on the Rohingya crisis and climate action, while also holding bilateral meetings with foreign leaders and senior international officials.

The Rohingya crisis is expected to feature prominently during the visit. At a Bangladesh-hosted high-level event, the prime minister is scheduled to seek stronger international support for the early and safe repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

On September 24, Tarique will address the UN General Assembly in Bangla. His speech is expected to cover Bangladesh’s democratic transition, rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, the Rohingya crisis, technology and reform of the multilateral system.

He is also scheduled to deliver opening remarks at a high-level meeting on the existential threats posed by rising sea levels and hold a series of bilateral meetings with foreign leaders, including the prime ministers of Pakistan, Thailand, Bhutan and Croatia and the Crown Prince of Kuwait.

During the visit, Tarique is also expected to meet UN Secretary-General António Guterres, European Council President António Costa, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga and the UN high commissioners for refugees and human rights. He is scheduled to leave New York for Dhaka on September 25.