Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said his government is pursuing a 3-R strategy — Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction — to repair Bangladesh, which he described as having been ravaged by more than one and a half decades of “fascist rule and exploitation.”

“To repair Bangladesh, which was ravaged by fascist rule and exploitation, the Government is pursuing a 3-R strategy — Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction,” he said while addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh had freed itself from what he described as enforced disappearances, killings, abductions, corruption, looting and money laundering and was once again embarking on the path of democracy.

He said an immense horizon of possibilities had opened before Bangladesh and that his government had begun implementing extensive programmes to transform the country’s working-age population into skilled human resources by harnessing its demographic dividend.

“Detailed measures have been taken to create extensive employment opportunities and develop Bangladesh as a ‘manufacturing hub’,” he said, seeking support from the country’s development partners in this endeavour.

The government has allocated US$50 million in the current fiscal year to create opportunities for young entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators to implement start-up initiatives, he said.

Focus on women’s empowerment

Highlighting the government’s focus on women’s empowerment, Tarique Rahman said women were at the forefront of its plans for the country’s socio-economic transformation, noting that women account for more than half of Bangladesh’s population.

He said the government was prioritising women’s education, employment and entrepreneurship, including expanded access to cash financing, particularly in the small and medium-sized industries sector. Free education opportunities for women up to the undergraduate level had also been made available, he said.

The Prime Minister said the government wanted to ensure not only electoral democracy but also the democratisation of the economy so that the benefits of economic growth and prosperity reached every family and citizen.

To this end, the government had introduced social protection initiatives such as the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, Sports Card and e-Health Card to support economically disadvantaged people.

He described the Family Card, issued in the name of the female head of each household, as a symbol of women’s economic empowerment and said the government planned to introduce a Universal Card by integrating various support cards.

31-point programme and development

Tarique Rahman said the government was implementing its 31-point programme presented to the people ahead of the February 12 national election. He said 73 percent of the programme’s activities were directly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals’ “Leave No One Behind” theme, while another 27 percent were indirectly aligned.

The government hoped implementation of the programmes would reduce development disparities between urban and rural areas and strengthen accountability and inclusive sustainable development under the 2030 Agenda, he said.

Education, health and sports

The Prime Minister said his government had given special importance to education, health and sports and had made the highest-ever budget allocation for the education sector.

“There are plans to gradually increase education spending to 5 per cent of GDP within the next five years,” he said. He said a curriculum had been developed with an emphasis on technical and practical education to establish an ethically sound and employment-oriented education system.

School bags, uniforms and free midday meals were being provided to primary students from the first grade, he said, expressing hope that the initiatives would increase school enrolment and improve the quality of education.

Sports had also been included as a subject in the education curriculum for the first time, with the aim of establishing sports as a profession, he said. More than two million students participated in a month-long nationwide football tournament last June as part of the initiative, he added.

Call for dialogue to resolve conflicts

Turning to the international situation, Tarique Rahman said human-made conflicts had created unrest in many countries, causing displacement and humanitarian crises while placing pressure on the global economy, energy security and supply systems and contributing to rising inflation.

He said conflicts should be resolved through dialogue, diplomatic processes and mutual cooperation, with equality, fairness, protection of mutual interests, respect and dignity forming the basis of bilateral and multilateral relations.

Bangladesh sees the United Nations as the centre of efforts to establish an understanding-based global community that respects the independence and sovereignty of states, he said.

Tarique Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to general and complete disarmament, prevention of nuclear weapons proliferation and arms control, while supporting UN initiatives aimed at promoting global peace.

He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for the legitimate demands of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and to establish an independent State of Palestine.

Rohingya crisis

On the Rohingya crisis, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh had been providing shelter to more than 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar for more than nine years, putting immense pressure on the country’s resources, environment, security and local communities.

“The only solution to this problem is the safe return of the displaced Rohingya population to their homeland, Myanmar,” he said. He called for firm and effective support from the United Nations and the international community for a lasting solution and urged continued life-saving assistance for the Rohingyas until their repatriation.

“If the international community fails to ensure justice for the displaced Rohingya population, this may turn into a humanitarian crisis in the near future,” he added.

Climate change and development

On climate change, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh was among the countries most vulnerable to its adverse impacts despite making little contribution to global carbon emissions. He said Bangladesh expected stronger global action at COP31 on climate justice, climate finance and adaptation support. The government has launched a programme to plant 250 million trees across the country over the next five years, while placing emphasis on clean and solar energy, he said.

He also said a programme had been launched to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country to help address flooding and drought. The government had begun implementing the Teesta Master Plan and the Padma Barrage project to increase freshwater flow into the Sundarbans and conserve water through large reservoirs, he said.

Technology and AI

On science and technology, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh’s large young population and growing digital capabilities had created new possibilities, but access to advanced technology, knowledge and research must be made available to all.

“We do not want today’s digital divide to become tomorrow’s artificial intelligence divide,” he said, stressing technology transfer, skills development and affordable access to modern technologies for developing countries. He called for an effective UN policy framework to ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence and social media could be used positively around the world.

LDC graduation and global cooperation

The Prime Minister also called for continued international support as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the Least Developed Country category, particularly through assured financing, greater market access, technology transfer and capacity building.

He said regional trade facilitation, connectivity and meaningful cooperation could help countries achieve shared prosperity in an increasingly interdependent world. Tarique Rahman also stressed the need to ensure sustainable production of vaccines, medical supplies and diagnostic equipment in developing countries so that they remain readily accessible to all.

‘Bangladesh First: Bangladesh for All’

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh wanted to establish a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented democratic state where everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or race, could live safely with equal rights, respect and dignity.

“Bangladesh’s progress in the areas of democracy, human rights, good governance, accountability, political stability and the investment environment is continuing,” he said, adding that the government was working to establish a safe and stable Bangladesh with a business- and investment-friendly environment.

“We want to build a Bangladesh where young people can pursue their dreams without fear or hindrance, women can lead their lives with confidence, and every child can grow up with the opportunity to realise their full potential,” he said.

“Above all, the people will have the assurance of a safe and peaceful life. That is why we say, ‘Bangladesh First: Bangladesh for All’.”

Earlier remarks

Earlier in his address, Tarique Rahman congratulated the President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on his election and assured Bangladesh’s full support during his tenure. He paid tribute to the martyred freedom fighters of Bangladesh and recalled the contributions of those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle to establish democracy, justice and people’s rights since independence.

He also paid respect to those killed and injured during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. The Prime Minister said the people had entrusted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with the responsibility of governing the state through the “fair, free and impartial” national election held on February 12 this year.

He said he felt nostalgic standing before the UN General Assembly as his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and his mother, former Prime Minister the late Khaleda Zia, had also addressed the world from the same platform on behalf of Bangladesh and its people.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh remained committed to multilateralism in maintaining international peace and security and, as Vice-Chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, continued to advocate sustainable peace, conflict prevention and inclusive peacebuilding.

He also highlighted the contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers and women peacekeepers to UN missions around the world. On migration, he said the government was committed to ensuring regular, safe and orderly migration and called for stronger global cooperation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of migrants. Concluding his address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s unwavering support for the principles and values of the United Nations in the cause of establishing world peace.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today pledged to build a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented democratic Bangladesh by ensuring political and economic empowerment of the people and creating equal opportunities for all.

“We want to establish a prosperous, self-reliant, welfare-oriented democratic state where everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or race, can live without anxiety and in safety, with equal rights, respect and dignity,” he said. The Prime Minister made the remarks while addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

He said his government was working to establish a safe and stable Bangladesh with a business- and investment-friendly environment while strengthening democracy, human rights, good governance, accountability and political stability. Tarique Rahman said the government was pursuing a three-pronged strategy — Recovery, Restoration and Reconstruction — to rebuild Bangladesh.

“Bangladesh is now once again embarking on the path of democracy,” he said, adding that the government was taking steps to transform the country’s working-age population into skilled human resources by harnessing its demographic dividend. He said detailed measures had been taken to create extensive employment opportunities and develop Bangladesh as a “manufacturing hub.”

The government has allocated US$50 million in the current fiscal year to provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs, researchers and innovators to implement start-up initiatives, he said. The Prime Minister said women were at the forefront of the government’s plans for the country’s socio-economic transformation, noting that women account for more than half of Bangladesh’s population.

“The government is giving priority to women’s education, women’s employment and the creation of women entrepreneurs,” he said. He said access to cash financing had been expanded for women, particularly in the small and medium-sized industries sector, to support the development of women-led businesses. The government had also introduced free education opportunities for women up to the undergraduate level, he said.

Tarique Rahman said the government sought to ensure not only electoral democracy but also the democratisation of the economy so that the benefits of economic growth and prosperity reached every family and citizen. To this end, the government had introduced social protection initiatives, including the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, Sports Card and e-Health Card, to support economically disadvantaged people.

“The government considers the ‘Family Card’, issued in the name of the female head of each household, to be a symbol of women’s economic empowerment,” the Prime Minister said. He said the government also planned to introduce a “Universal Card” by integrating the various cards designed to provide support in different sectors. The Prime Minister said the government had placed special emphasis on education, health and sports and had made the highest-ever allocation for the education sector in the country’s history.

“There are plans to gradually increase education spending to 5 per cent of GDP within the next five years,” he said. He said a new curriculum had been developed with greater emphasis on technical and practical education to build an ethically sound and employment-oriented education system.

School bags, uniforms and free midday meals were being provided to primary school students from the first grade, he said, expressing hope that the initiatives would boost school enrolment and improve the quality of education. Tarique Rahman said sports had also been introduced as a subject in the education curriculum for the first time, with the aim of establishing sports as a profession.

As part of the initiative, more than two million students participated in a month-long football tournament held across the country in June, he said. The Prime Minister said science and technology would shape the future as the world entered a new era driven by artificial intelligence, biotechnology and scientific innovation. He said Bangladesh’s large young population and expanding digital capabilities had created new opportunities, but access to advanced technology, knowledge and research needed to be made available to all.

“We do not want today’s digital divide to become tomorrow’s artificial intelligence divide,” he said. Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh respected innovation and intellectual property while stressing the importance of technology transfer, skills development and affordable access to modern technologies.

“It is now time for the United Nations to adopt an effective policy framework so that the benefits of the development and rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and social media can be used positively in countries around the world,” he said. Turning to the Rohingya crisis, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh had been sheltering more than 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar for more than nine years.

He said the only solution to the crisis was the safe and dignified return of the displaced Rohingya population to their homeland in Myanmar and called for continued life-saving assistance until their repatriation. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh was continuing its progress in democracy, human rights, good governance, accountability, political stability and improving the investment environment.

“In the present democratic Bangladesh, we welcome partnership, innovation and both domestic and foreign investment,” he said. Tarique Rahman said the government wanted to build a Bangladesh where young people could pursue their dreams without fear or hindrance, women could lead their lives with confidence and every child could grow up with opportunities to realise their full potential.

“Above all, the people will have the assurance of a safe and peaceful life. That is why we say, ‘Bangladesh First: Bangladesh for All’,” he added.

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.

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.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting individuals who knowingly engage in or facilitate commercial “birth tourism” to the United States. Under the policy, announced September 23, the State Department said it will use Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict visa issuance to people involved in commercial birth-tourism operations. The policy specifically targets owners, operators and managers of birth-tourism networks, visa “fixers” who coach applicants to commit fraud, foreign medical providers who knowingly facilitate such travel, and others who knowingly support or enable the practice.

Rubio said foreign commercial birth-tourism networks have exploited the U.S. immigration system by charging large sums of money to arrange births in the United States for the purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for children. The statement also accused some networks of coaching foreign nationals to provide false information on visa applications and of facilitating fraudulent use of Medicaid.

“The Trump Administration is using every tool at our disposal to defend the integrity of U.S. citizenship, protect American public benefits and U.S. taxpayers from exploitation, and safeguard our national security,” Rubio said in the statement.

The State Department has already prohibited birth tourism as a permissible purpose for a U.S. visitor visa. Its current visitor-visa guidance defines birth tourism as travel to the United States primarily to give birth so that the child obtains U.S. citizenship, and states that such travel is not permissible on a visitor visa.

The department previously introduced specific rules addressing birth tourism in 2020. Under those rules, consular officers were directed to deny B-visa applications when they had reason to believe an applicant’s primary purpose for traveling to the United States was to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.

The newly announced policy goes beyond the individual seeking to travel for birth tourism by specifically targeting people and organizations that facilitate or profit from the practice. According to Rubio’s statement, certain family members of individuals covered by the restrictions may also be subject to the new visa restrictions.

The announcement comes as the State Department has continued to expand visa screening and vetting measures. On September 18, the department announced that, effective October 1, online-presence review would be expanded to additional nonimmigrant visa categories, saying the screening process is intended to identify applicants who may be inadmissible or who fail to establish eligibility for the visa requested.

The new birth-tourism policy is being implemented under existing provisions of U.S. immigration law rather than through a change to the statutory citizenship rules themselves. The announcement specifically concerns visa restrictions on people involved in or facilitating commercial birth tourism.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a new security agreement with Denmark and Greenland aimed at strengthening defense cooperation in the Arctic, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen joined Trump for the signing ceremony. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also present as the agreement was signed.

The agreement amends and supplements the existing 1951 U.S.-Denmark defense agreement concerning Greenland. It reaffirms the parties’ defense cooperation and provides for expanded U.S. military access and activities in Greenland.

Under the agreement, the United States will be allowed to modernize and expand activities at Pituffik Space Base and establish additional defense areas at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig, subject to arrangements between the parties. The agreement also provides a framework for establishing additional defense areas in Greenland through consultations and mutual agreement.

The agreement gives U.S. forces specified rights of access and movement in Greenland, including access by land, air and sea between defense areas. It also establishes provisions concerning U.S. aircraft and public vessels operating in Greenland and its territorial waters.

The three parties also agreed to strengthen cooperation on Arctic security, including through greater NATO engagement, planning, military presence, exercises and intelligence gathering.

The agreement includes provisions restricting non-NATO states from establishing military installations or maintaining a persistent military presence in Greenland unless otherwise agreed by the parties. It also contains restrictions related to certain foreign investments and activities considered potential threats to national security or public order.

The document reaffirms the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark and recognizes the right of the people of Greenland to self-determination under international law. It also states that the agreement has no end date and can be amended only by mutual consent under the existing defense framework.

The White House described the agreement as a major step in strengthening U.S. security interests in the Arctic. The signing took place as world leaders gathered in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The agreement was signed in New York on September 22, 2026, in English, Danish and Greenlandic. It will enter into force after the required parliamentary procedures in Denmark and Greenland are completed and the United States receives the necessary diplomatic notification.