Tarique Rahman to make UNGA debut on Sept 24, Rohingya crisis and climate change in focus

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will make his debut at the United Nations General Assembly this week, delivering his maiden address in Bangla on September 24 with the Rohingya crisis, climate change and his government’s democratic agenda expected to dominate his speech.

Rahman will leave Dhaka for New York on September 21 and return on September 25, marking his first participation in the UNGA as Prime Minister and the first appearance at the annual gathering by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government since it came to power in February.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam said Rahman would use the address to outline Bangladesh’s positions on global peace and security, sustainable development, economic cooperation and reform of the multilateral system.

Rohingya crisis in focus

A major focus of the visit will be Bangladesh’s efforts to revive international attention on the prolonged Rohingya crisis. Rahman is scheduled to participate in a Bangladesh-hosted side event on September 23, where Dhaka will seek stronger international support for the safe and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Bangladesh currently hosts more than a million Rohingya refugees, placing sustained pressure on resources and infrastructure. Large-scale displacement from Myanmar’s Rakhine State began in 2017 following a military crackdown and violence, while attempts to facilitate their return have remained stalled.

Rahman is also scheduled to meet the UN special envoy on Myanmar as well as the UN high commissioners for refugees and human rights during his stay in New York.

Climate concerns

Climate change will form another key component of the Prime Minister’s UN engagements. Rahman is scheduled to attend a high-level meeting on climate action on September 23 and address a session on sea-level rise the following day.

Bangladesh is expected to highlight the challenges confronting climate-vulnerable countries and push for stronger commitments on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice.

The country faces particular risks from rising sea levels, extreme weather and increasing salinity in coastal areas. These challenges have made climate financing and adaptation central elements of Dhaka’s engagement with international institutions.

Bilateral meetings lined up

On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Rahman is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with Kuwait’s Crown Prince and the prime ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan and Haiti.

The discussions are expected to cover political and economic relations, trade and investment, development cooperation, the Rohingya crisis and other bilateral and regional issues.

Rahman is also expected to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the president of the European Council and the president of the World Bank Group.

On September 23, he will participate in a high-level meeting addressing global inequality and attend another Bangladesh-hosted event focusing on maternal and newborn health and midwifery.

Economic diplomacy push

The visit will also have a significant economic component, with Rahman scheduled to interact with senior representatives of Meta, Wall Street and other business organisations.

The government is expected to use the meetings to showcase Bangladesh’s investment opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and technology while discussing human-resource development, skills and employment opportunities for young people.

Dhaka’s broader UN agenda will also emphasise youth and women’s empowerment, education, healthcare and equitable access to modern technology, alongside its call for a more effective and inclusive multilateral system.

For the BNP government, Rahman’s maiden UNGA appearance will provide its most prominent international platform since taking office, combining its domestic political message with Bangladesh’s long-standing priorities on the Rohingya crisis, climate vulnerability and economic development.