Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tareque Rahman is scheduled to visit New York, USA, on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA-81). This marks his first visit to the United States in nearly 20 years.
During the visit, the head of government will address the UN General Assembly session and participate in various programs. According to relevant sources, the Prime Minister will not visit any other country before attending the UN session.
Officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working to finalize the Prime Minister’s itinerary and other programs. Media reports indicate that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also sent a Note Verbale to the US Embassy in Dhaka regarding this.
Relevant officials stated that this will be Tareque Rahman’s first address at the UN General Assembly session as head of government. He is also expected to participate in various sideline meetings and events of the session.
After the UN programs, the Prime Minister will attend a two-day event in San Francisco, California. If all goes well, his US tour could last 8 to 10 days, according to government sources and BNP leaders in the US.
This year, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, has been elected President of the UN General Assembly. Analysts believe that the joint presence of Bangladesh’s head of government and the President of the General Assembly at the session could create a significant diplomatic moment for Bangladesh on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Tareque Rahman’s US visit after two decades has generated immense enthusiasm among Bangladeshi expatriates and BNP activists in the country. Preparations are also underway for a grand civic reception in New York to welcome the Prime Minister.
To ensure the success of the visit’s programs, BNP policymakers and local leaders in the US have already held joint online preparatory meetings. Preparations are also underway for party activists from various states to gather in New York.
It is worth noting that Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s first foreign tours after forming the government were to Malaysia and China from June 21 to 26. During these visits, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed with both countries on various issues, including manpower export, import-export, and corridor establishment.
Although he received invitations to visit several other countries afterward, relevant sources indicate that the Prime Minister will not visit any more countries before attending the UN General Assembly session.