Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and his Pakistani counterpart Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday discussed various aspects of Bangladesh-Pakistan bilateral relations, along with regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders held a bilateral meeting at the Secretariat Building of the United Nations Headquarters in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The meeting focused on matters of mutual interest, the regional and international situation, and potential areas of cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of Bangladesh and Pakistan, said Prime Minister’s Assistant Press Secretary KM Nazmul Haque. Tarique Rahman and Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of further strengthening relations between the two countries on the basis of mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.

The two premiers also stressed the need for regular communication and continued dialogue on issues of common interest. The meeting took place amid the two countries’ ongoing efforts to enhance bilateral engagement and explore areas of cooperation at regional and international forums.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday called for four urgent global actions to address the growing threat of sea-level rise, including faster and deeper cuts in global emissions, predictable adaptation finance, wider access to climate-smart technologies and stronger international cooperation to address climate-induced displacement and loss and damage.

He made the call while addressing a high-level meeting on the existential threat posed by sea-level rise at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Prime Minister said a 25-centimetre rise in sea level could submerge around four percent of Bangladesh’s land by 2050, threatening the homes, livelihoods and human dignity of around 10 million people, citing a World Bank estimate.

“The sea is rising fast. Our ambition must rise faster,” Tarique Rahman said, urging the international community to translate the commitments of the Declaration on Sea-Level Rise into concrete action and ensure that no country is left behind to face the consequences of rising seas. He thanked the UN President for convening the high-level meeting and the co-facilitators for their efforts in preparing the Declaration.

Four urgent actions

Elaborating on his four-point call, Tarique Rahman first urged countries to accelerate and deepen global emissions reductions while ensuring that climate action remains fair.

“First, we must cut global emissions faster, deeper, and more fairly. We must keep 1.5 degree Celsius within reach,” he said. Second, he called for predictable, accessible and adequate financing for climate adaptation in vulnerable countries.

“Vulnerable countries like Bangladesh cannot face the grave consequences of sea-level rise alone,” he said, stressing the need for greater international support to help climate-vulnerable nations strengthen their resilience. Third, the Prime Minister called for wider access to climate-smart technologies, reliable climate data and early-warning systems for vulnerable coastal countries. He said Bangladesh had already invested in early-warning systems, strengthened cyclone preparedness and developed coastal protection measures despite having limited resources.

As his fourth call, Tarique Rahman urged stronger international cooperation to address climate-induced displacement, loss and damage, and to establish dignified pathways for communities forced to relocate because of rising sea levels. The Prime Minister said these measures were particularly important for Bangladesh, a densely populated delta where hundreds of rivers flow into the sea and millions of people live close to the coast.

“Our prosperity and future are tied to the coast,” he said.

Bangladesh’s climate initiatives

Tarique Rahman said adaptation alone would not be sufficient to address the consequences of rising sea levels because “the ocean reacts to every tonne of carbon the world releases.”

“Therefore, we need to rethink the way we consume, so that we reduce carbon emissions into the environment,” he said. He said Bangladesh was taking a number of steps to strengthen its climate resilience.

“Over the next five years, Bangladesh aims to dig around 20,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, advance the Padma Barrage initiative to retain and reserve water, modernize the Teesta Barrage with a master plan and plant 250 million trees,” he said.

At the same time, Bangladesh is pursuing a green-growth strategy, with a target of generating at least 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with a particular emphasis on solar power.

The country is also promoting green industries and environmentally friendly transportation, while developing a national carbon market and strengthening the protection of forests, wetlands and vulnerable coastal ecosystems, he said.

The high-level meeting brought together heads of state and government and representatives of international organisations to discuss the growing threat posed by sea-level rise and ways to translate international commitments into concrete action. Concluding his remarks, Tarique Rahman reiterated the need to turn the Declaration on Sea-Level Rise into tangible measures.

“I believe we will all come together, turn the promises of the Declaration into action, and ensure that no nation is left behind to face the rising tide,” he said. “Let our resolve rise with the sea, and let our action rise even faster,” the Prime Minister added.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Ziaur Rahman Foundation Vice-President and eminent physician Dr Zubaida Rahman on Thursday said Bangladesh is redesigning its primary healthcare system around prevention, early identification and continuity of care, with a stronger frontline workforce and professional midwives at the centre of the transformation.

“Our vision of a Healthy Bangladesh is to move from a treatment-centred system to one that emphasises prevention, early identification and continuity of care, with services closer to people’s homes,” she said.

Addressing a high-level side event titled “From Commitment to Action: Integrating Midwifery into Primary Health Care to End Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths” at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Zubaida outlined Bangladesh’s ongoing and planned initiatives to transform its Primary Health Care (PHC) system.

Bangladesh, she said, is working towards an integrated PHC network extending to rural unions and urban wards, supported by a stronger frontline workforce and digital health services.

“Women and children are at the centre of this transformation,” she said.

Zubaida said recruitment of 25,000 professional midwives has already begun, stressing that the initiative is aimed not merely at increasing their number but at integrating them into multidisciplinary PHC teams.

“Our objective is not simply to increase their numbers. We want to integrate them into multidisciplinary PHC teams and provide continuity of care from preconception and pregnancy through childbirth, postnatal and newborn care,” she said. The PHC model presented at the discussion places midwives at the centre of the maternal healthcare journey and seeks to move Bangladesh’s health system from fragmented services towards an integrated and accountable platform, she said.

The platform will connect households and communities with primary healthcare facilities and, when necessary, with secondary, tertiary and specialised care through a functioning referral system, Zubaida said. She said midwife-led PHC could advance three priorities for Bangladesh: better access, stronger financial protection and better value in healthcare.

“It can bring essential care closer to women, reduce unnecessary interventions and out-of-pocket expenditure, and ensure respectful care at the right place and at the right time,” she said. Zubaida said Bangladesh’s approach reflects its broader effort to put people at the centre of development and build a modern health system around prevention, dignity and access. The vision, she said, is to ensure that women receive continuous care throughout the maternal journey rather than accessing fragmented services at different stages.

“Every woman should have access to a skilled professional midwife as part of her PHC team, close to where she lives,” she said, outlining the ambition that guided the discussion. Zubaida said the approach is also intended to provide a model for countries to learn from one another while developing solutions suited to their respective health systems.

“Professional midwives save lives. Our task now is to build health systems that enable them to do so effectively, equitably and sustainably,” she said. Bangladesh looks forward to continuing its engagement with governments, UN agencies, development partners and the global health community to turn the dialogue into practical action, she said.

The discussion brought together health ministers and senior representatives from Sierra Leone, Nepal, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries, along with UN agencies, development partners, professional organisations, civil society representatives and members of the global health community. The event was organised in partnership with the Government of Sweden and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his government wants to build a “Healthy Bangladesh” where healthcare begins at home and in the community, placing primary healthcare at the centre of the country’s health reform agenda with particular emphasis on women and children.

“My government is transforming our health system, guided by a simple principle: ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ We want to build a Healthy Bangladesh, where healthcare begins in the home and community,” he said.

The Prime Minister made the remarks while opening a high-level side event titled “From Commitment to Action: Integrating Midwifery into Primary Health Care to End Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths” at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Bangladesh co-hosted the event with Sweden in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The event focused on integrating professional midwifery into primary healthcare to improve maternal and newborn care and reduce preventable deaths.

Tarique Rahman outlined plans to strengthen community-based primary healthcare and expand the role of professional midwives as members of multidisciplinary primary healthcare teams.

He said his government intends to recruit 100,000 additional health workers, 80 percent of whom will be women, to connect families with the health system, identify health risks at an early stage and facilitate timely care.

“One professional has a particularly important role in this continuum: the midwife,” he said.

“A professional midwife can become a woman’s trusted health professional from preconception through the postnatal period,” he added.

The Prime Minister said the government has decided to recruit 25,000 professional midwives across Bangladesh and that the process has already begun. He said the midwives would provide essential reproductive healthcare, support antenatal care, promote safe and respectful childbirth, identify complications early and facilitate referrals. They would also support mothers and newborns through breastfeeding, immunisation and healthy childhood development, he said.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh had built an important foundation for professional midwifery, including through professional midwifery education, stronger regulation and deployment of midwives at district, sub-district and union-level facilities.

“We now have more than 11,000 licensed midwives, with the objective of reaching 25,000 by 2030,” he said. He also acknowledged the contribution of Sweden and UNFPA to the development of professional midwifery in Bangladesh.

With UNFPA’s cooperation, Bangladesh has expanded midwifery-led care across 22 districts, where skilled midwives have supported more than 154,000 births and managed critical maternal cases, he said.

“These are not merely statistics. They represent mothers returning home safely, and newborns beginning life with hope,” the Prime Minister said. He also outlined the government’s plan to develop an integrated digital health ecosystem under which every citizen would have a Health Card linked to a digital health record and electronic referral system.

“For a woman in rural Bangladesh, her care can be registered close to home, her visits tracked, and her risk factors recorded. If referred to a higher-level hospital, the necessary information should travel with her,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government’s vision for women’s health extends beyond pregnancy and childbirth and covers women’s health throughout the life course. This includes adolescent health, reproductive health and family planning, as well as prevention and early detection of cervical and breast cancers, he said. “Midwifery must therefore be part of a broader platform for women’s health within Primary Health Care,” Tarique Rahman said. He stressed that the next phase of the initiative should be driven by national ownership and sustainable domestic investment.

“As we open today’s discussion, I leave you with one ambition: Every woman should have access to a skilled professional midwife as part of her Primary Health Care team, close to where she lives,” he said.

“For Bangladesh, this means deploying midwives nationwide, strengthening community health services and referral pathways, and connecting citizens through a modern digital health system,” he added.

“Together, these steps will help us build a healthy, thriving Bangladesh. And this is how we move from commitment to action,” the Prime Minister said.

The event brought together ministers, UN agencies, development partners and health experts to discuss ways of translating commitments on midwifery and primary healthcare into sustainable investments and stronger health systems. UNFPA described the integration of midwifery into primary healthcare as a key strategy for expanding equitable, high-quality and dignified maternal and newborn care.

Dhaka: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million loan to help Bangladesh modernise and strengthen its electricity distribution network in fast-growing industrial and urban areas around Dhaka. The project aims to improve the reliability, efficiency and resilience of electricity supply for businesses and households, according to an ADB statement yesterday.

Under the Power Distribution Network Enhancement Project, the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) will upgrade distribution infrastructure across 13 Palli Bidyut Samities serving rapidly growing industrial and urban areas around the capital. The project will install 1,150 megavolt-amperes (MVA) of new transformer capacity across 52 substations and increase the capacity of 12 existing substations by 115 MVA.

It will also construct or upgrade more than 2,600 kilometres of overhead and underground distribution lines and install insulated conductors to improve network reliability, efficiency and safety. Another 900 fault locator sets will be deployed to speed up fault detection and service restoration. The project will also build river-crossing transmission structures and switching stations to modernise system operations.

“This project will help future-proof the power system in key growth corridors around Dhaka through advanced technologies, stronger infrastructure, and enhanced resilience measures,” said ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Qingfeng Zhang.

The ADB loan is part of a broader financing package for the project. The government will provide about $108 million in cofinancing, while BREB will contribute about $141 million. The Republic of Korea’s e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund will provide a $1 million technical assistance grant.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present Bangladesh’s vision for the future, national interests and aspirations of its people at the global forum of the United Nations General Assembly, with a focus on ensuring inclusive development, said PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin.

“Carrying the patriotism, emotions, sentiments and aspirations of the people, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will present before the global community what Bangladesh’s vision for the future should be, how the country’s interests can be safeguarded and how inclusive development can be ensured,” he said.

Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a press conference in the lobby of the Hyatt Grand Central New York hotel at 9:00pm local time today after the premier arrived in New York to attend the UN General Assembly. He said the prime minister has arrived in New York on a historic visit as the head of a representative government elected by the people’s vote after a long time.

Referring to the historical context, he said, “Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia had presented Bangladesh’s position, vision and plans before the global community. As part of that historical continuity, their son, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, will likewise uphold the spirit of patriotism and present Bangladesh’s interests and rights on the global stage.”

Mahdi Amin said the prime minister will deliver his address at the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Describing the prime minister’s visit as a very brief one, the spokesperson said he was moving away from the usual practice of lengthy foreign visits and would stay in New York for only a short period.

“Excluding the two days spent on travel, he will stay in New York for only four working days and will attend a number of bilateral and multilateral meetings,” he said. Regarding the size of the delegation, Mahdi Amin said the prime minister had completely broken away from the traditional practice and arrived with a small delegation for the brief visit.

“Officially, there are only 35 people here. Besides them, there are only essential media, security and personal staff. Prime Minister’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman is also accompanying him,” he said. Informing that the prime minister’s official engagements will begin Tuesday, he said he would attend the opening session at the UN Headquarters at 9:00am, where heads of state and government of different countries will be present.

Earlier in the morning, he will attend a “Welcome Breakfast Reception” hosted at the invitation of the UN Secretary-General. PM’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibly, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman and Bangladesh’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations A K M Wahiduzzaman were also present at the press conference.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Biman Bangladesh Airlines has ordered 11 additional Boeing aircraft as Bangladesh’s national flag carrier moves to expand and modernize its fleet. Boeing and Biman announced the agreement Wednesday in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. The order comprises five Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and six Boeing 737-8 aircraft, according to Boeing.

The latest purchase follows Biman’s order for 14 Boeing aircraft announced in April, bringing the airline’s planned Boeing acquisitions to 25 aircraft this year. The April order included eight 787-10s, two 787-9s and four 737-8s. Reuters reported the April deal at approximately $3.7 billion based on list prices.

Signing ceremony in New York

The agreement was signed between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Boeing during a ceremony in New York. Rumee A. Hossain, chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, represented the two organizations at the signing ceremony. Boeing’s official photograph shows Hossain and McMullen in the front row of the ceremony.

The signing was attended by senior Bangladeshi and U.S. officials, reflecting the broader economic and trade context surrounding the aircraft purchase. Among those present were M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, Bangladesh Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Humaiun Kobir, State Minister of Foreign Affairs; Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, chairman of the Invest Bangladesh Authority; Madhi Amin, Advisor to the Prime Minister; U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick; and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.

Also pictured at the ceremony were William Kimmitt, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; Brendan Nelson, Boeing Global senior vice president; Stephanie Pope, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO; S. Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; Kaanthi Bhuvanagiri, Boeing sales director for India and South Asia; and Paul Righi, Boeing vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing for Eurasia, India and South Asia.

Fleet modernization and network expansion

Biman Chairman Rumee A. Hossain described the supplemental agreement as part of the airline’s ongoing fleet-renewal and network-expansion program. “Today’s supplemental agreement is an important step in Biman’s ongoing fleet renewal and network expansion,” Hossain said, adding that the order responds to specific requirements in the airline’s fleet plan. Hossain said Biman aims to develop its network and capabilities to meet the connectivity needs of passengers in Bangladesh, the country’s expatriate community, businesses and the tourism sector.

Boeing said the additional aircraft will strengthen Biman’s existing Boeing fleet. The 737-8 will provide additional range and capacity for the airline’s single-aisle network, while the 787-10 will add capacity alongside Biman’s existing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Boeing also said the 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX families provide approximately 20% to 25% greater fuel efficiency compared with the aircraft they replace, supporting Biman’s fleet-modernization strategy.

Boeing welcomes additional Biman order

Brad McMullen, Boeing’s senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, said the additional order reflects Biman’s approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth. “Biman’s follow-on order reflects its strategic approach to fleet renewal and capacity growth, and underscores the strength of our long-standing partnership,” McMullen said. He said the additional 787 Dreamliner and 737 MAX aircraft will provide the efficiency and versatility Biman needs as Bangladesh’s international aviation market grows.

Broader Bangladesh-U.S. trade context

The aircraft purchase comes as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen economic and trade ties with the United States. Reuters reported that the latest Boeing purchase expands Biman’s planned orders to 25 aircraft as Dhaka seeks to increase imports from the United States and address a trade imbalance of roughly $6 billion. Reuters also reported that the aircraft order is part of broader efforts to reduce pressure related to U.S. tariffs on Bangladeshi exports.

However, the aircraft agreement itself is a commercial purchase between Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Boeing, rather than a government-to-government contract between Bangladesh and the United States. Government officials attended and celebrated the signing, but Boeing and Biman are the parties to the aircraft purchase.

Biman’s Boeing fleet

Biman currently operates Boeing 787, 777 and 737 Next-Generation aircraft across its international network, serving destinations in the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia and Europe. With the latest order, Biman’s planned Boeing purchases announced in 2026 total 25 aircraft, comprising both wide-body Dreamliners and 737 MAX aircraft. The carrier says the fleet expansion is intended to support modernization, increase capacity and strengthen its international network.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to sign an agreement in New York to purchase 11 additional commercial aircraft from U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The agreement is scheduled to be signed Wednesday on the sidelines of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen welcomed the deal. In a social media post, he congratulated Boeing and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, describing the purchase of 11 additional commercial aircraft as another mutually beneficial achievement for U.S.-Bangladesh relations.

Christensen also said he was looking forward to witnessing the signing ceremony in New York. The new agreement for 11 aircraft is in addition to a $3.7 billion deal signed with Boeing on April 30. Under that agreement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines agreed to purchase 14 aircraft, including eight Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, two Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 737-8s.

With the additional 11 aircraft, Biman’s planned purchases from Boeing will rise to 25 aircraft. However, the specific models, total purchase price, financing arrangements and delivery schedule for the additional 11 aircraft have not yet been disclosed.

The purchase is part of Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ plans to expand and modernize its fleet. At the same time, Biman is considering a separate proposal to purchase 10 Airbus aircraft. The additional aircraft are expected to support the airline’s fleet expansion and meet growing demand in the aviation sector. The new aircraft are also intended to help Biman expand its international network and enhance passenger services.

CHATTOGRAM – Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee described Awami League (AL) as a banned political organization, asserting that the party is endeavoring to destabilize society through organizing ‘flash processions’ across multiple locations. Such activities will be dealt with both political and administrative measures, he said.

“Efforts by the banned Awami League to provoke civil unrest via flash processions in Chattogram will be handled through political and administrative channels. It is imperative that we prevent them from engaging in any form of unlawful conducts, anarchic behavior, or terrorist activities,” he stated. He told journalists following a special consultation meeting on the district’s law and order situation at the Chattogram Circuit House this afternoon.

Emphasizing the significance of the meeting on the law and order, Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee said, “This is precisely why today’s gathering—a session of the District Law and Order Coordination Committee—proved to be so vital. We engaged in comprehensive discussions and formulated decisions in collaboration with administrative officials and elected public representatives to mitigate concerns including theft, mugging, robbery, snatching, illegal firearms, and narcotics trafficking. Our objective is to guarantee that the district maintains effective coordination and stability in the forthcoming period.”

Matters such as illegal firearms, narcotics trafficking, hill cutting, and unauthorized sand extraction are receiving equal attention alongside general law and order concerns, the Water Resources Minister said, “Currently, we find ourselves obligated to implement certain stringent measures”.

“For the people’s welfare and to fulfill their requirements, we are directing our efforts toward particular initiatives—especially the confiscation of illegal firearms, the elimination of narcotics operations, and the prevention of hill cutting and sand extraction activities. We have recognized that these practices frequently contribute to the deterioration of law and order conditions. We have thoroughly examined these issues and are implementing suitable interventions,” he said.

He further stated, “With profound dedication to our responsibilities, and guided by the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we have implemented targeted measures to resolve the situation and strengthen law and order—particularly throughout Chattogram city and the surrounding district. InshaAllah, the residents of this region will shortly witness the positive outcomes of these endeavors.”

Earlier, Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee joined a view exchanging meeting on law and order circumstances as the chief guest. Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jahidul Islam Mian presided over the event.

Ershad Ullah, MP, Sarwar Jamal Nizam, MP, Abu Sufian, MP, and Humam Quader Chowdhury, accompanied by Chattogram Divisional Commissioner Dr. Md. Ziauddin, Chattogram Range DIG Md. Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, and Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali, among others, spoke at the programme.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called on the international community to extend stronger support for the dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar and help find a sustainable solution to the prolonged crisis.

The prime minister made the appeal on Tuesday when Julie Bishop, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar, paid a courtesy call on him in New York, where he is attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

During the meeting, Tarique Rahman stressed the importance of continued international cooperation to facilitate the safe and dignified return of Rohingyas and resolve the crisis, according to PM’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

The two sides also discussed the role of the international community in addressing the Rohingya crisis, including efforts to create conditions conducive to their eventual return to Myanmar.

The meeting comes ahead of a high-level Rohingya crisis side event scheduled for Wednesday at UN Headquarters, co-hosted by Bangladesh and The Gambia. The event will focus on finding a durable solution to the protracted displacement, along with justice and accountability.

Bangladesh has consistently called for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingyas to Myanmar, where the crisis originated. The country is currently hosting about 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, placing significant humanitarian, economic and environmental pressure on Bangladesh. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on September 24.