
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is expected to deliver his first speech at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 24, becoming the third member of his family to address the UNGA.
His father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, addressed the General Assembly in 1980, while his mother, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, first addressed it in 1993 and spoke at UN proceedings on five occasions through 2005.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York on September 21. According to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, climate change will be a major focus of his speech.
Foreign Affairs State Minister Humaiun Kobir said the address will also cover Bangladesh’s future vision, development priorities, global peace, poverty eradication, climate action, climate finance and the Rohingya crisis.
The 81st UNGA session is particularly significant for Bangladesh as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is serving as President of the General Assembly. The general debate is scheduled from September 22 to 26 and on September 28.