The Daily Morning Sun Online //

During the Prime Minister’s four-day visit to New York, a total of 30 official engagements took place—including bilateral meetings with heads of state and government from 11 countries—alongside various programs centered around the UN General Assembly. Mahdi Amin, Advisor to the Prime Minister and spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, shared this information.

He stated that issues such as Bangladesh’s national interests, trade and investment, manpower export, energy security, regional cooperation, the Rohingya crisis, health, climate change, and international peace were highlighted during these meetings and events.

Mahdi Amin made these remarks while briefing journalists at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN on Friday night (local time in New York).

He noted that the Prime Minister’s four-day visit included eight programs related to the UN General Assembly, four high-level events on the sidelines of the UN, 11 bilateral meetings, and several other meetings with various international organizations and prominent figures.

Mahdi Amin said the Prime Minister highlighted issues relevant to Bangladesh’s interests during these meetings and discussed enhancing people-to-people contact, boosting trade and investment, and strengthening mutual cooperation with various nations.

He mentioned that on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister attended a breakfast meeting hosted by JPMorgan Chase with top Wall Street investors. Discussions there focused on investment opportunities in various sectors of Bangladesh and ways to increase investment.

He added that the Prime Minister subsequently met with the President of the International Peace Institute. During that meeting, Bangladesh’s return to a democratic path was welcomed, and the country’s role in establishing global peace was discussed.

Noting that the Prime Minister also met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mahdi Amin said discussions covered human rights, the rule of law, and the establishment of democracy in Bangladesh.

Mahdi stated that the Prime Minister held significant bilateral meetings with three Middle Eastern nations on Thursday. She met with the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, and the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates. Issues concerning Bangladesh’s interests were highlighted in all three meetings. She stated that all three countries have invited the Prime Minister to visit them. Detailed discussions were held during the meetings regarding the protection of the interests of Bangladeshi workers, increasing manpower exports, energy security, cooperation in the mineral sector, and boosting investment in Bangladesh.

Noting the government’s desire to further strengthen Bangladesh’s long-standing ties with Middle Eastern nations, the Prime Minister said, “We want to elevate this relationship to a new level in the areas of manpower exports, energy security, trade, and investment.”
Outlining the Prime Minister’s four-day itinerary, he noted that she delivered speeches at five of the eight events related to the General Assembly. Additionally, she held meetings with key figures, including the World Bank President, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

He further mentioned that the Prime Minister met with representatives from the Gates Foundation, the International Peace Institute, and Wall Street investors. She also participated in various events alongside development partners and local communities.

Mahdi stated that two high-level events—one addressing the Rohingya crisis and another focusing on maternal and newborn health and midwifery—were hosted by Bangladesh. Furthermore, the Prime Minister spoke at high-level events concerning climate change, “Just Transition,” and rising sea levels.

He added that the Prime Minister’s wife, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, also participated in eight high-level events during the visit and delivered speeches at four of them.

Mahdi Amin highlighted the UN General Assembly’s “Platform of Women Leaders,” the “First Spouses Dialogue,” and the high-level event on maternal and child health and midwifery as particularly notable among these engagements. He reported that representatives from various countries praised Dr. Zubaida’s speeches at these events.

Mahdi Amin also noted that, over the course of four days, the Prime Minister and her delegation represented Bangladesh in approximately 80 different events.

The Prime Minister’s advisor stated that, despite the small size of the delegation, the visit made optimal use of time, with Bangladesh’s interests prioritized in every engagement.

Mahdi remarked that this visit marked the Prime Minister’s return to the global stage representing Bangladesh as the head of a government elected by the people. Her address to the UN General Assembly highlighted Bangladesh’s plans and priorities, alongside themes of global peace, humanity, democracy, human rights, and international cooperation. He said, “We believe that this continuity of the democratic government will be maintained, and in the days ahead, under the Prime Minister’s leadership, Bangladesh will advance on the global stage as an even more prosperous and self-reliant nation.”

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir, Shama Obaid, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibli, Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon, Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington Golam Mortuza, Deputy Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN AKM Wahiduzzaman, and Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Jahidul Islam Roni, along with other members of the Prime Minister’s Press Wing, were present at the press conference.

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