PM Tarique at UNGA: What to expect from his debut address

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present Bangladesh's renewed democratic journey alongside its positions on major global challenges in his maiden UN General Assembly (UNGA) address, prominently featuring the protracted Rohingya issue.

The prime minister, who is expected to address the 81st session of the UNGA in Bangla on 24 September, will outline the government's vision for the country's future as well as its approach to pressing regional and global issues.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam disclosed the broad focus of the premier's address at a curtain-raiser press conference on his upcoming UNGA visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (20 September).

"The prime minister will address Bangladesh's renewed democratic journey, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, economic cooperation, the empowerment of youth and women, education and health, the Rohingya issue, the equitable and inclusive use of modern technology, and the reform of the multilateral system," he said.

The address will be particularly significant, as it will be Tarique Rahman's first appearance at the UN General Assembly as prime minister and the incumbent government's first opportunity to present its political commitments and vision before the world's highest multilateral forum, he said.

Alongside his General Assembly address, the prime minister will seek to refocus international attention on the protracted Rohingya issue and mobilise stronger global cooperation towards its resolution.

He is scheduled to attend a Bangladesh-hosted side event on the Rohingya issue on 23 September, where he will seek effective international cooperation for the earliest possible repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Responding to a question, the Foreign Secretary described the Rohingya issue as an "ongoing problem" and said Bangladesh would once again use the gathering of world leaders to highlight the magnitude of the issue and the challenges it poses.

"We will once again present to the global community the magnitude of the Rohingya issue, the challenges it poses and the international cooperation, assistance and support Bangladesh requires," Siam said.

Bangladesh has repeatedly maintained that the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar is the only viable and lasting solution to the issue. The prime minister's UN engagements will also give particular prominence to climate change, another issue where Bangladesh is seeking stronger international action.

On 23 September, he will attend a high-level meeting titled "Climate Action and the Just Transition", convened at the initiative of the UN Secretary-General.

The following day, he will deliver the opening remarks at a high-level meeting on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise.

At the climate-related meetings, the premier is expected to articulate the concerns of climate-vulnerable countries, focusing particularly on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice.

His UNGA address will also underline Bangladesh's priorities concerning global peace and security, sustainable development and economic cooperation while advocating greater empowerment of youth and women and equitable access to modern technology.

Reform of the multilateral system will be another element of the speech as Bangladesh seeks a more effective and inclusive international architecture capable of responding to contemporary global challenges.

The prime minister will also participate in a high-level meeting on tackling the global inequality crisis and a Bangladesh-hosted side event on maternal and newborn health and midwifery.

Siam said the United Nations programme would receive priority during the prime minister's visit, while his schedule of bilateral and other engagements would remain "an evolving process".

As per the schedule, the foreign secretary said that, on the sidelines of the UNGA, the premier is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the Crown Prince of Kuwait and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti.

The talks are expected to cover political and economic relations, trade and investment, development cooperation, the Rohingya issue and other issues of mutual interest, Siam said.

The prime minister is also scheduled to meet the UN Secretary-General, the President of the European Council, the President of the World Bank Group, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Myanmar, and the UN high commissioners for refugees and human rights.

He is also expected to meet the President of the International Peace Institute.

As part of the government's economic diplomacy, the premier will hold meetings with senior representatives of Meta, Wall Street and several other business organisations.

The prime minister will leave Dhaka for New York tomorrow and is scheduled to return home after completing his engagements on 25 September.