PM holds 30 engagements, talks with 11 countries during NY visit: Mahdi Amin

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held 30 official engagements, including bilateral meetings with 11 countries, during his four-day New York visit for the 81st UN General Assembly, said PM’s Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin.

Speaking at a press briefing in New York, Mahdi said Bangladesh’s national interests, trade and investment, manpower exports, energy security, regional cooperation, the Rohingya crisis, climate change and global peace were discussed during the meetings.

The prime minister attended eight UNGA-related events, four high-level side events and 11 bilateral meetings, besides meetings with international organisations and prominent personalities.

On Friday, he met top Wall Street investors at a breakfast hosted by JPMorgan Chase to discuss investment opportunities in Bangladesh. He also met the president of the International Peace Institute and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

The prime minister also held meetings with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the Saudi foreign minister and the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister. The meetings focused on protecting Bangladeshi workers’ interests, manpower exports, energy security, mineral-sector cooperation and investment. The three countries invited him to visit.

Mahdi said the prime minister also met World Bank President Ajay Banga, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop and UNHCR chief Barham Salih.

Bangladesh organised high-level events on the Rohingya crisis and maternal, newborn health and midwifery. The prime minister also addressed events on climate change, just transition and sea-level rise.

PM’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman attended eight high-level engagements and spoke at four, including the UN Platform of Women Leaders and the First Spouses’ Dialogue.

Mahdi said the prime minister and his delegation took part in around 80 engagements, with Bangladesh’s national interests given priority throughout the visit.

-AJM