Prime Minister Tarique Rahman En Route to New York for UN Session

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has departed Dhaka for New York to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. He set off on a Turkish Airlines flight on the morning of Monday, September 21, accompanied by his wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and his entourage. He is scheduled to deliver a speech at the General Assembly session on September 24.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretary, Saleh Shibli, stated that the flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 6:05 AM.

Senior government officials were present at the airport to see him off, including Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan; BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi; Chief Whip of the National Parliament Md. Nurul Islam Moni; Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani; and the Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.

Via Istanbul to New York

According to the itinerary, the flight is scheduled to arrive in Istanbul, Turkey, at 11:35 AM local time after a journey of approximately eight hours and 45 minutes. Following a transit period of two hours and 35 minutes there, the aircraft will depart for New York at 2:10 PM.

The Prime Minister is expected to arrive at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York at 5:55 PM local time. He will be welcomed there by the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Irene Zubaida Khan, and the Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States, Tarique Md. Ariful Islam. During the visit, the Prime Minister will stay at the Hyatt Grand Central New York.

Program Begins September 22

According to Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the Prime Minister's official program will commence on September 22 with his attendance at a welcome breakfast for heads of state and government, hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Subsequently, he will join world leaders at the UN General Assembly session. That same evening, he is also scheduled to attend a reception hosted by the US President in honor of the heads of state and government and their spouses.

According to UN information, the General Debate of the 81st General Assembly begins on September 22. It will continue until September 26, with the closing day scheduled for September 28. **Programs on Climate and Rohingya Issues

On September 23, the Prime Minister is scheduled to exchange views with representatives of international charitable and humanitarian organizations during a breakfast meeting.

Subsequently, she will address a meeting organized jointly by Brazil, South Africa, Norway, and Spain, focused on tackling the global crisis of inequality. On the same day, she is also expected to participate in a high-level meeting titled "Climate Action and Just Transition," convened by the UN Secretary-General.

The high-level meeting on climate action and just transition is also included in the official UN schedule for September 23.

According to the Foreign Secretary, the Prime Minister will highlight Bangladesh's position as a climate-vulnerable nation during these discussions. Issues such as climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice will be prioritized.

On the same day, she will attend a side event regarding the Rohingya crisis. There, she is expected to call for effective international cooperation to ensure the rapid repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Address at the UN on September 24

September 24 marks one of the most significant engagements of the Prime Minister's visit. She is scheduled to deliver her address during the General Debate of the UN General Assembly on that day. This will be her first time participating in the UN General Assembly as Prime Minister.

The Foreign Secretary stated that the speech is planned to outline the government's stance on various national and international issues, including Bangladesh's democratic journey, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development, and economic cooperation. Topics such as youth and women's empowerment, education, health, the Rohingya crisis, the equitable use of technology, and the reform of multilateral systems may also be addressed.

On the same day, the Prime Minister is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks at a high-level meeting concerning the existential threat posed by rising sea levels. This high-level meeting is also listed in the official UN schedule for September 24.

Additionally, she will participate in two side events hosted by Bangladesh. She is also scheduled to speak as the chief guest at an event focused on maternal and newborn health and midwifery. According to the Foreign Secretary, at the event, the Prime Minister will highlight the government's initiatives and future plans regarding maternal and child health, while also discussing the importance of skilled and professionally trained midwif