PM Tarique to spotlight Rohingya crisis, democratic transition in maiden UNGA address
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will put Bangladesh’s democratic transition and the Rohingya crisis at the centre of his maiden address to the UN General Assembly on September 24, as Dhaka seeks renewed international engagement on the prolonged displacement from Myanmar.
Tarique will deliver his speech in Bangla at the 81st session of the General Assembly in New York, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said at a briefing on Sunday. It will be the government’s first appearance at the UN’s main annual gathering since taking office.
“The Prime Minister will address Bangladesh's renewed democratic journey, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development [and] economic cooperation,” Siam said.
Youth and women’s empowerment, education and health, access to modern technology and reform of the multilateral system will also feature in the address.
PM Tarique leaves Dhaka for New York on September 21 and is scheduled to return after completing his engagements on September 25.
Rohingya push
The Rohingya crisis will feature prominently throughout the visit, with Dhaka seeking to revive international attention on repatriation as the displacement stretches into another year without a durable solution.
Tarique will attend a Bangladesh-hosted side event on September 23, where he is expected to press for stronger international cooperation to facilitate the return of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
“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, describing the crisis as an “ongoing problem”.
Bangladesh’s longstanding position is that any repatriation must be safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable.
Climate diplomacy will form the other major strand of Tarique’s UN programme.
He will attend the UN Secretary-General’s high-level meeting on “Climate Action and the Just Transition” on September 23 before delivering opening remarks at a meeting on the existential threats posed by sea-level rise the following day.
Bangladesh is expected to use the meetings to press the priorities of climate-vulnerable countries, including greater climate finance, adaptation support, technology transfer and funding for loss and damage.
Tarique will also attend a high-level meeting on global inequality and address a Bangladesh-hosted event on maternal and newborn health and midwifery.
Diplomacy and investment
The New York visit will include a series of bilateral meetings.
Tarique is scheduled to meet Kuwait’s Crown Prince and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti. Discussions are expected to cover trade and investment, development cooperation, political relations and the Rohingya crisis.
His multilateral engagements include meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, 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.
Economic diplomacy will also feature in the programme. Tarique is expected to meet senior representatives of Meta, Wall Street and other businesses, with discussions focused on investment in manufacturing, infrastructure and technology as well as skills development and employment.
The visit carries an additional distinction for Dhaka: Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is serving as president of the General Assembly’s 81st session.
Siam said the government would give priority to the UN programme, while bilateral engagements could still change as the schedule evolves.
--