Photo: Collected
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present a message of establishing the rights of the masses and inclusive development at the United Nations General Assembly session, said Mahdi Amin, adviser to the prime minister and spokesperson for his office.
He said, ‘Embracing patriotism, emotion, feelings and aspirations, what the country’s future vision should be, how Bangladesh’s interests must be protected and how inclusive development can be ensured – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present all of this on the world stage.’
He said this at a press conference held in the lobby of the ‘Hyatt Grand Central New York’ hotel at 9pm local time on Monday, after the prime minister arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly.
Mahdi Amin said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has come to New York on a historic visit. His coming on invitation as the prime minister of a representative government elected by the people’s vote after a long time is itself part of history.
Highlighting the historical context, he said, ‘Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia presented their position, vision and plans on behalf of Bangladesh on the world stage.
In that continuity of history, today their son, the current Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, will also, embracing patriotism just like his parents, speak of Bangladesh’s interests and rights on the world stage.’
He said the prime minister will deliver his speech at the UN General Assembly next Thursday.
Mentioning that the visit is very brief, the spokesperson said he has come on this visit for a short time, breaking completely from the past trend. Excluding two days of travel, he will stay in New York for only four working days in between and take part in several bilateral and multilateral meetings.
About the size of the entourage, Mahdi Amin said, ‘The prime minister has completely broken with the conventional practice and come on this brief visit with a small entourage. Officially, there are only 35 people here. Beyond this, there are only essential media, security and personal staff. The prime minister’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, has also come with him.’
He said the prime minister’s official visit begins on Tuesday. At 9am, he will join the opening session at the UN headquarters, where heads of state and government of all countries will be present.
Before that, in the morning, the prime minister will attend a ‘welcome breakfast reception’ at the invitation of the UN secretary-general.
Asked by journalists whether there is scope for a separate meeting with Donald Trump during the visit, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir said, ‘The main purpose of this visit is to attend the UN General Assembly. So there will not be much scope for such bilateral talks separately.’
Also present at the press conference were the prime minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon and Wahiduzzaman, deputy permanent representative of the Bangladesh mission to the UN.
