Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held meetings with the heads of state and government of seven countries, including Turkiye, Iran and Pakistan, during his four working days in New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and business ties and exchanging views on regional and international issues, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said.
The seven leaders were Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.
The state minister said the meetings placed emphasis on further strengthening bilateral ties, expanding trade and business cooperation and discussing issues of mutual and international interest.
Tarique Rahman also held separate meetings with Maldives Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
The discussions covered bilateral relations, trade and investment, manpower, economic cooperation and various regional and international issues.
The Prime Minister also met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, International Peace Institute President and CEO Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein and Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman.
Bangladesh’s economy, investment prospects and the repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar featured prominently in these meetings, along with discussions on ways to advance cooperation in these areas.
During his stay in New York, the prime minister attended four high-level events focusing on the Rohingya crisis, the threat rising sea levels pose to the existence of coastal countries, climate action and just transition and the integration of midwifery into primary healthcare to prevent avoidable maternal and newborn deaths.
He also attended a breakfast meeting with representatives of Wall Street firms hosted by JPMorgan Chase, where he discussed Bangladesh’s economy, investment prospects and opportunities in the trade and financial sectors.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir were present at the meeting.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman also attended a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for heads of state and government participating in the UN General Assembly, as well as a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The Prime Minister arrived in New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and led a 35-member delegation.
On September 24, Tarique Rahman delivered his maiden address as prime minister at the General Debate of the 81st UN General Assembly.
-BSS
