CA Yunus advocates Bangladesh’s sustainable development agenda at UNGA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus continued to engage extensively with global leaders with diverse meetings during the ongping 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), highlighting Bangladesh's vision for inclusive growth, sustainable development and global solidarity.

During his engagements on the sidelines of the UNGA, the urgency of addressing pressing global challenges, from climate change to poverty alleviation, achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addressing funding gaps, while also bringing the Rohingya situation to the global attention and advocating for human dignity and peace came up in a big way.

His presence at the UNGA offered an opportunity to amplify Bangladesh's voice on the international stage and to emphasise the importance of collaborative, people-centered solutions, officials told UNB.

He attended the opening segment of an event titled 'First Biennial Summit for a Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Global Economy: Implementing Commitments on Financing the Sustainable Development Goals' in UN headquarters on Wednesday.

Yunus held a meeting with President of Finland Alexander Stubb on the sidelines of the UNGA, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.

The Chief Adviser also held a seperate meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a hotel in New York same day.

Yunus attended a high-level working session titled 'Transforming Primary Healthcare-Bangladesh's Blueprint' on the sidelines.

The Chief Adviser invited US President Donald Trump to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time during a reception hosted by the President in New York on Tuesday.

Yunus attended the event at the invitation of President Trump, who is in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA).

The Chief Adviser also met UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the reception hosted by US president Donald Trump.

At the reception, he exchanged pleasantries with President Trump and several world leaders, including King Felipe VI of Spain, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.

The Chief Adviser also met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor, his Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said.

Yunus, who attended the 79th UNGA with at least 51 engagements, wants to return to his old job of joy, after holding a free, fair, peaceful and credible election in the first half of the February 2026.

The Chief Adviser, who is scheduled to deliver his speech at the UNGA on September 26, will convey Bangladesh's commitment to holding a 'free, fair, peaceful and credible' election in the first half of February next.

"This will be a foundational election for Bangladesh. People will be able to exercise their voting rights peacefully. This message will be conveyed to the international community," said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Opening under the theme Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights, this milestone session - 80th UNGA - arrives amid rising global challenges and urgent calls for renewed multilateral action.

The high-level period kicked off on September 22 with a full day of summits and commemorations, including the 80th anniversary of the UN itself, an SDG Moment and marking 30 years since the Bejing world conference on women. Leaders will also take part in the high-level conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution.

From September 23 to 29, global attention will turn to the iconic green marble podium in the General Assembly Hall, where presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs will deliver national statements, setting out visions for peace, development, human rights, and collective action amid mounting global challenges.

Also on the agenda are a Climate Summit, the launch of a Global Dialogue on AI Governance, the global response to noncommunicable diseases and mental health, and on the situation of the Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.