PM invites Albanese to Bangladesh, seeks Australian support on investment and Rohingya repatriation
Photo: Collected
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The meeting took place at 10:30am today on the sidelines of the UN climate change conference (COP31) in Antalya, Turkey. The prime minister’s deputy press secretary Hasan Shiplu gave the information.
He said the two leaders discussed various issues of mutual interest, including tackling the impact of climate change, increasing Australian investment in Bangladesh and the return of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
When Tarique Rahman invited the Australian prime minister to visit Bangladesh, Albanese expressed hope of visiting at a convenient time next year.
Albanese extended a return invitation as well. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed hope of visiting Australia at a convenient time.
The prime minister stressed prioritising the needs of developing countries, especially climate-vulnerable ones, in tackling the impact of climate change.
He also sought increased Australian investment in Bangladesh and the country’s cooperation in the safe repatriation of the Rohingyas.
Tarique Rahman praised Australia’s leadership role in the ongoing COP31 negotiation process.
The prime minister noted that Bangladesh now offers ample opportunities for foreign investment. The two leaders also discussed the development of the agriculture sector.
Seeking Australia’s cooperation in the safe return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, the prime minister urged the country to further step up its diplomatic efforts.
In his words, the Rohingya crisis began in Myanmar, and its permanent solution also lies in Myanmar.
Outlining plans for the renewable energy sector, the prime minister said the government has taken an initiative to meet 20 per cent of the country’s total electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.
He also spoke of various government steps to protect the environment and tackle the impact of climate change, including planting 25 crore trees across the country and a canal excavation programme.
Background
According to a Reuters report of November 2025 published on Al-Monitor, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had said during COP30 in Brazil that a formal agreement had been reached on Antalya, Turkey, hosting COP31 and Australia becoming ‘President of Negotiations’.
At a glance
According to an analysis by Australian law firm Gilbert + Tobin, the UN climate conference COP31 is being held in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November. Turkey holds the conference presidency as host country, while Australia leads the formal negotiations, with its Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen serving as ‘President of Negotiations’.
Sources
Background sources: Al-Monitor (Reuters), November 2025; Gilbert + Tobin, 2026
