Staff correspondent :

Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said Bangladesh delegation led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will reach New York on September 17 to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and address general debate session on September 22.

“In her speech, she will highlight Bangladesh’s incredible development advancement, inclusive economic progress and success in the health sector. Besides, issues like global peace, security, safe migration, Rohingya crisis and climate justice will come up in her address,” Momen said.

The foreign minister was speaking at the curtain raiser press briefing at foreign ministry here. State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam also spoke at the press conference.

World leaders will gather in New York for attending the 78th session of the General Assembly (UNGA 78) under the theme, “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and the sustainability for all.”

The first day of the high-level General Debate will be held on September 19.

Dr Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also attend a number of High-Level Meeting and Debate on the sidelines of the general debate session of UNGA.

US President Joe Biden invited the Bangladesh Prime Minister to attend a reception to be held on September 19 evening, Momen said.

Besides, the Prime Minister may attend bilateral meetings with the several countries’ heads of states and heads of governments, including Prime Minister of Malaysia, Thailand, Denmark and Sri Lankan President to further strengthen bilateral relations, he said.

During the visit, Momen said that a number of instruments are likely to be signed between Bangladesh and Hungary, Kazakhstan.

“Active participation of the delegation of Bangladesh led by the Prime Minister is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in multilateral forums and broaden the field of international cooperation in matters related to Bangladesh’s interests,” said the foreign minister.

The Prime Minister is expected to join conferences titled “SDG Summit 2023”, “Thought for Food – Collaborating for food supply chain innovation to accelerate the SDGs”.

She will also attend a High Level Roundtable titled “Towards a Fair International Financial Architecture” and High-level Debate on Financing for Development (FfD).

These high level events are to help recovering countries to achieve Sustainable Goals which were vastly affected due to COVID-19.

The Bangladesh Premier is also scheduled to attend some conferences including a high level discussion titled “Climate Ambition Summit”, “High-Level Breakfast Summit on Climate Mobility” at the invitation of the UN chief.

The Prime Minister will place her suggestions to world’s leaders to eliminate threats caused by climate change, Momen said, adding that she would also portray her government’s actions to counter challenges caused due to the climate change issue.

Terming return of Rohingyas to Myanmar as number one priority issue for Bangladesh, Momen said, a sideline event titled- ‘High level side event on Rohingya Crisis’- will be organized to reiterate Bangladesh’s message to the world.

The Prime Minister is expected to deliver a speech at the side event jointly co-hosted by Canada, Gambia, Turkey, UK, USA, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and European Union.

After six years of Rohingya influx in Bangladesh, many bilateral and multilateral steps have been taken to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar, however, these steps have not given any expected solution.

The Prime minister is expected to attend some health related meetings – “Sheikh Hasina Initiative of Community Clinics: Innovative Approach to Achieving Universal Health Coverage Inclusive of Mental Health and Disabilities”, “Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response” , High-level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage”.

Through these meetings, the Prime Minister will highlight her government’s remarkable success in fighting against Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring healthcare for all in Bangladesh.

Momen said Bangladesh has been hailed as a role model in the world by empowering women and ensuring women’s participation in economic activities.

At this event, the Prime Minister will reiterate Bangladesh’s commitments and portray achievements by participating in several conferences on this topic.

Besides, during the visit, -UN Secretary-General, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Secretary-General’s Genocide Adviser, newly elected International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General and International Atomic Energy Agency Director-General will pay courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

The foreign minister informed that he will also accompany the Premier at those high-level meetings.

The foreign minister will also attend high level meetings on Sustainable Development Goals, Climate change, OIC, NAM, BIMSTEC, G-77.

During the visit, Momen said, he will join several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Lithuania, Sierra Leone, Singapore and Czech Republic, as well as he will hold a meeting with the minister for foreign trade and development cooperation of the Netherlands.

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