Tarique holds talks with China VP, Uzbek President, Pak PM

Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged greetings and pleasantries with world leaders and held several important bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the opening events of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. He held separate meetings with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

The discussions focused on Chinese investment in Bangladesh, addressing climate change, strengthening bilateral relations, and expanding mutual cooperation. In addition, the Prime Minister held courtesy meetings and exchanged views with heads of state and government from various countries, including Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as well as representatives of international organisations.

On Wednesday (11 November), Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was welcomed by the organisers upon his arrival at the conference venue at 10:10 am local time in Türkiye. His wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, accompanied him. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo, and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir were also present.

Before the opening ceremony, heads of state and government from different countries and senior representatives of international organisations gathered at the Leaders’ Lounge at the conference venue. There, world leaders exchanged greetings and pleasantries and took part in brief informal discussions on various issues of mutual interest. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also joined them in exchanging greetings and engaging in brief conversations in a cordial atmosphere.

Among those who met and exchanged greetings with the Prime Minister were Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary-General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Moldova’s Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the country’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. He also exchanged greetings with members of the Indonesian delegation.

Later, the opening session of the ‘Antalya Leaders’ Summit’ began at 12:15 pm local time in Türkiye. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman attended the session alongside heads of state and government from various countries and representatives of international organisations. Dr Zubaida Rahman and members of the Bangladesh delegation were also present at the session.

On the sidelines of the conference, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at around 2:45 pm local time. The meeting, held at the conference venue, lasted approximately half an hour. 

Discussions focused on further strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Uzbekistan, addressing the impacts of climate change, and expanding mutual cooperation. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir were present at the meeting.

Later, at 4:30 pm, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng at the conference venue. The discussions focused on increasing Chinese investment in Bangladesh, addressing the impacts of climate change, and various issues of mutual interest to the two countries. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir was present at the meeting.

Later, at 4:50 pm, the Prime Minister visited the Bangladesh Pavilion at the COP31 conference venue. He was received there by Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Abdul Awal Mintoo, State Minister Sheikh Faridul Islam, and Dr Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

During the visit, the Prime Minister toured the exhibition of environmentally friendly jute products displayed at the pavilion. He also observed presentations highlighting Bangladesh’s various initiatives on tree plantation, environmental conservation, and addressing the adverse impacts of climate change. Speaking with officials working at the pavilion, he enquired about the exhibition activities, the features of the products, and efforts to showcase Bangladesh’s climate-related initiatives on the international stage.