Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday morning joined the high-level General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the General Assembly Hall of the UN Headquarters in New York.
He joined the General Debate around 9:00am after attending a welcome breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for heads of delegation and their spouses, said Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary Md Nazmul Haque Khan.
At the breakfast, Tarique Rahman, accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, joined other world leaders and their spouses for a photo session with Guterres and his wife. He also exchanged greetings with the UN secretary-general and his wife.
Bangladesh’s delegation was seated in the front row of the General Assembly Hall, with the seating arranged alphabetically.
Upon entering the hall, the Prime Minister greeted the President of the 81st session of the UNGA, Dr Khalilur Rahman, before taking his seat.
Khalilur, Bangladesh’s foreign minister, was elected president of the 81st session of the UNGA on June 2, securing 99 votes in a contested election.
After the Prime Minister entered the General Assembly Hall and took his seat, UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered the opening remarks.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Irene Khan were seated beside Tarique Rahman, while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam were seated behind him.
Tarique Rahman is leading a 35-member delegation to the UNGA.
The high-level General Debate of the 81st UNGA began on Tuesday, with US President Donald Trump scheduled to address the General Assembly on the first day.
Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24, his first address to the world body as prime minister. He is expected to deliver his speech in Bangla.
Alongside the UNGA sessions, the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings and high-level engagements with heads of government of several countries and leaders of international organisations during his brief visit to New York.