NEW YORK — Fatikchhari MP Sarwar Alamgir was accorded a reception at Radhuni Restaurant in the Church-McDonald area of New York on Thursday night, September 25. The event was organized at the initiative of Mohammad Hanif, chief adviser and former president of the Chattogram Association of New York. The reception was chaired by Mohammad Hanif and moderated by Md. Ariful Islam, general secretary of the Chattogram Association of New York. Among those attending were New York City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, former Chattogram Association president Kazi Shakhawat Hossain Azam, current president Abu Taher, and poet and writer Shamsuddin Mahmud of Washington, D.C., along with prominent members of the Bangladeshi-American community.

In his speech as the chief guest, Sarwar Alamgir recalled his longstanding family relationship with Mohammad Hanif and his family. “Hanif bhai has not merely acted like an elder brother; he has always stood by me as my elder brother. I am therefore very happy to be able to visit New York and attend this gathering as his guest first,” Alamgir said. Alamgir also highlighted various initiatives undertaken for the development of Fatikchhari and expressed his determination to take necessary measures to eliminate terrorism and improve law and order in the constituency.

He also thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for nominating him from Fatikchhari.  New York City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif said that although she was born and raised in New York City, her roots are in Fatikchhari.

“I am a New York City Councilwoman. I was born and raised here, but my roots are in Fatikchhari,” she said. Shahana Hanif expressed her happiness that the people of Fatikchhari have a leader like Sarwar Alamgir. She also expressed hope that Alamgir would provide necessary advice and cooperation to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman not only for the development of Fatikchhari but also for the broader development of Bangladesh.

During the event, poet and writer Shamsuddin Mahmud presented two of his books to Sarwar Alamgir as gifts. The program concluded with guests being served traditional Chattogram-style mezbani cuisine. Recent reporting also identifies Sarwar Alamgir as the MP for Chattogram-2 (Fatikchhari) and confirms that he is currently serving as a lawmaker.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York  — The vast General Assembly Hall of the United Nations fell into attention as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman walked to the podium, dressed in a black suit and red tie, smiling and acknowledging greetings from the audience. As he took the floor at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, the hall broke into applause. For a moment, the attention of Bangladesh and the wider international community turned to the Bangladeshi leader standing at the podium of the world’s premier multilateral forum.

It was more than a speech by a head of government. From the global stage, Tarique Rahman presented Bangladesh’s aspirations, concerns and expectations, placing the country’s priorities before the international community at a time when conflicts, displacement and humanitarian crises continue to challenge the world.

At the outset of his address, the prime minister paid tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War and recalled the contributions of those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for democracy, justice and people’s rights. He also paid respect to those killed and injured during the July-August 2024 mass uprising. He then turned to the challenges confronting the international community.

In a world witnessing conflicts, displacement and humanitarian suffering, Tarique Rahman called for disputes to be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and mutual cooperation. He said international relations should be founded on equality, fairness, mutual interests, respect and dignity, while stressing the importance of the United Nations in building an understanding-based global community that respects the independence and sovereignty of all nations.

He also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for UN initiatives aimed at promoting global humanity and world peace. The prime minister’s message on peace was closely linked to Bangladesh’s longstanding positions on disarmament, nuclear non-proliferation and arms control. He said the diversion of development resources towards military expenditure remained an obstacle to lasting peace.

The issue of Palestine also featured prominently in his address. Tarique Rahman 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. The Rohingya crisis was another major issue Bangladesh placed before the international community. Referring to more than 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar who have been sheltered in Bangladesh for more than nine years, the prime minister said the source of the crisis lies in Myanmar and that its solution must also be found there.

“The only solution to this problem is the safe return of the displaced Rohingya population to their homeland, Myanmar,” he said, calling for firm and effective international support for their repatriation. He also urged the international community to continue life-saving humanitarian assistance until their safe return becomes possible. Migration was another issue through which Bangladesh articulated its concerns before the global community.

As one of the world’s major labour-sending countries, Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to regular, safe and orderly migration and called for stronger international cooperation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of migrants. Tarique Rahman also highlighted Bangladesh’s role in global peace efforts, reaffirming the country’s commitment to multilateralism and its engagement with the UN Peacebuilding Commission.

He recalled the contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving in UN missions around the world and highlighted the participation of Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping, reflecting the country’s commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Climate change, another major concern for Bangladesh, also featured in the country’s broader priorities at the UNGA. Despite being highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Bangladesh contributes relatively little to global greenhouse-gas emissions. The country has therefore continued to call for stronger international action on climate justice, climate finance and adaptation support.

Beyond the immediate global challenges, Tarique Rahman’s address also carried a strong message about Bangladesh’s own aspirations. The prime minister spoke of building a prosperous, self-reliant and welfare-oriented democratic Bangladesh through recovery, restoration and reconstruction, with emphasis on youth employment, women’s empowerment, education, skills development, innovation and social protection.

He outlined a vision of a country where young people can pursue their ambitions without fear, women can live with confidence and every child has the opportunity to realise their potential. He also highlighted the importance of preparing Bangladesh for a rapidly changing global environment shaped by technology and artificial intelligence. Yet the significance of the occasion extended beyond the contents of the speech itself.

Tarique Rahman’s appearance at the UN General Assembly marked another chapter in Bangladesh’s political history, as he became the third member of his family to address the world body. His father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, addressed the UN General Assembly in 1980, focusing on issues including poverty, hunger, economic development and greater international cooperation. His mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, first addressed the General Assembly in 1993 and subsequently addressed the UN on several occasions.

More than four decades after his father’s first appearance at the world body, Tarique Rahman stood at the same global podium as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. The moment therefore brought together a chapter of family history and the contemporary aspirations Bangladesh sought to present before the international community. But beyond that legacy, the prime minister’s presence at the UN offered Bangladesh an opportunity to articulate its position on some of the most pressing issues confronting humanity — peace and conflict, Palestine, the Rohingya crisis, migration, climate change, development and multilateral cooperation.

From the floor of the General Assembly Hall, Bangladesh placed its message before the international community: dialogue over confrontation, diplomacy over conflict, cooperation over division and human dignity as a shared global responsibility. Tarique Rahman concluded his address by reaffirming Bangladesh’s 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 reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for United Nations initiatives aimed at promoting global humanity and world peace, calling for conflicts to be resolved through dialogue, diplomacy and mutual cooperation.

“Today, I reaffirm Bangladesh’s support for any initiative of the United Nations aimed at establishing global humanity and world peace,” he said while addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The Prime Minister said human-made conflicts had created unrest in many countries, resulting in large-scale displacement and humanitarian crises, while wars and conflicts were placing severe pressure on the global economy. He said energy security crises, disruptions to global energy supply systems and rising inflation were further worsening the economic situation.

“We believe that any conflict should be resolved through dialogue, diplomatic processes and mutual cooperation,” he said. Tarique Rahman said equality, fairness, protection of mutual interests, respect and dignity should form the basis of bilateral and multilateral relations among states.

“We aspire to a peaceful world, a humane global community where, rather than nuclear weapons, reason and debate, diplomacy, education and humanity become the instruments of change,” he said.

The Prime Minister said Bangladesh viewed 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 the tendency in various countries to divert development budgets towards military expenditure was an obstacle to world peace.

“As a peace-loving nation, Bangladesh remains committed to the goal of complete and general disarmament, preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and arms control,” he said.

Bangladesh and UN peacebuilding

Tarique Rahman reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateralism in maintaining international peace and security, saying the theme of the 81st UNGA — “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations that Delivers for All” — was highly relevant to the prevailing global situation. He said Bangladesh, as Vice-Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission, continued to advocate sustainable peace, conflict prevention and inclusive peacebuilding.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Bangladesh’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions, saying Bangladeshi peacekeepers were serving humanity in different countries around the world. He said the participation of Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions, despite challenging circumstances, reflected Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda.

Support for Palestine

Turning to Palestine, Tarique Rahman said the people of Bangladesh, who cherish democracy, were deeply concerned about the suffering of the Palestinian people.

“Bangladesh reaffirms its unwavering support for their legitimate demands, including their right to self-determination and their right to establish an independent State of Palestine,” he said.

Rohingya crisis

The Prime Minister also called for continued international support for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, saying Bangladesh had been providing shelter to more than 1.2 million Rohingyas for more than nine years. He said the only solution to the Rohingya crisis was the safe return of the displaced population to their homeland in Myanmar. Tarique Rahman called upon the United Nations and the international community to continue life-saving assistance programmes for the Rohingyas until their repatriation.

Safe and orderly migration

On migration, the Prime Minister called for stronger international cooperation to protect the rights, dignity and welfare of migrants. “Bangladesh expects stronger global cooperation to ensure the rights, dignity and welfare of migrants,” he said. He said migration was as old as human civilisation and migrants were making important contributions to the economies of both their countries of origin and destination.

Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh remained committed to ensuring regular, safe and orderly migration. The Prime Minister reiterated that Bangladesh would continue supporting efforts to build a peaceful and humane global community based on dialogue, mutual respect, diplomacy and cooperation.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York— Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the only solution to the Rohingya crisis is the safe return of the displaced Rohingya population to their homeland in Myanmar, calling for firm and effective support from the United Nations and the international community for a lasting solution.

“The only solution to this problem is the safe return of the displaced Rohingya population to their homeland, Myanmar,” he said while addressing the General Debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“For more than nine years, Bangladesh has been providing shelter to more than 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar,” the Prime Minister said. He said the prolonged presence of the Rohingyas had placed immense pressure on Bangladesh’s resources, environment, security and local communities.

“Bangladesh, a densely populated country, believes that the source and origin of the Rohingya crisis lie in Myanmar; therefore, its solution also lies there,” he said. Tarique Rahman urged the United Nations and the international community to continue life-saving assistance programmes for the displaced Rohingyas until their repatriation to Myanmar.

“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 warned.

Call for peaceful resolution of conflicts

The Prime Minister also called for stronger international efforts to address major global humanitarian and political challenges, saying human-made conflicts had created unrest in many countries and displaced large numbers of people. He said wars and conflicts were placing severe pressure on the global economy, while energy security crises, disruptions to global energy supply systems and rising inflation were worsening the economic situation.

“We believe that any conflict should be resolved through dialogue, diplomatic processes and mutual cooperation,” he said. Tarique Rahman said equality, fairness, protection of mutual interests, respect and dignity should form the basis of bilateral and multilateral relations among states.

“We aspire to a peaceful world, a humane global community where, rather than lethal weapons, reason and debate, diplomacy, education and humanity become the instruments of change,” he said.

Support for Palestine

Turning to the Palestine issue, the Prime Minister said the people of Bangladesh, who cherish democracy, were deeply concerned about the suffering of the Palestinian people.

“Bangladesh reaffirms its unwavering support for their legitimate demands, including their right to self-determination and their right to establish an independent State of Palestine,” he said.

Migration and international cooperation

On migration, Tarique Rahman said migration was as old as human civilisation and migrants were making important contributions to the economies of both their countries of origin and destination. He said the Bangladesh government was committed to ensuring regular, safe and orderly migration.

“Bangladesh expects stronger global cooperation to ensure the rights, dignity and welfare of migrants,” the Prime Minister said. Tarique Rahman also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateralism in maintaining international peace and security, saying the United Nations should remain at the centre of efforts to establish an understanding-based global community that respects the independence and sovereignty of states.

He said the tendency in various countries to divert development budgets towards military expenditure was an obstacle to world peace.

“As a peace-loving nation, Bangladesh remains committed to the goal of complete and general disarmament, preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and arms control,” he said. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s support for UN initiatives aimed at promoting global peace and humanity.

Climate change

On climate change, Tarique Rahman said Bangladesh was one of the countries most vulnerable to its adverse impacts despite making little contribution to global carbon emissions.

“In these circumstances, Bangladesh has chosen the path of building resilience to withstand and overcome these risks,” he said. The Prime Minister called for stronger global action at COP31 on climate justice, climate finance and adaptation support. He said Bangladesh had strengthened its programmes to protect the environment and build resilience against climate risks.

The government had 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. Tarique Rahman also said Bangladesh had launched a programme to excavate 20,000 kilometres of canals across the country to help address flooding and drought.

He stressed the importance of cooperation in transboundary water management while reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to water conservation and pollution prevention. The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating 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 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.

NEW YORK CORRESPONDENT: The US Awami League, Awami family members, and affiliated and associate organizations held a protest rally outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, September 24, protesting the ban on all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League, death sentences against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other senior party leaders, and what they described as moves to hand over Saint Martin’s Island, ports and transit corridors to foreign interests.

The rally was held at noon outside the UN headquarters, with Awami League leaders and activists arriving from different states across the United States. Participants included leaders and activists from the US Awami League, US Jubo League, US Mohila League, US Chhatra League, US Sramik League, US Swechhasebak League, Michigan Awami League, Virginia State Awami League, Metro Washington Awami League, Maryland State Awami League, New York State Awami League, New York City Awami League, US Awami League South, US Awami League East, US Awami League West, and the organization Amra Mujib Sainik, among others.

The protesters chanted a range of slogans, including “Go Back Tarique,” “Terrorist Tarique,” “Khamba Tarique,” “No gas, no electricity—this government is not needed,” “No food, no clothing—this government is not needed,” “There are poles, but no electricity—this government is not needed,” “Police killer Tarique—go back, go back,” and “Grenade Tarique—go back, go back.”

Addressing the rally, speakers said the Awami League played a leading role in the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign country. They alleged that banning the party’s political activities undermines the values, ideals and spirit of the country’s Liberation War. The speakers called for the immediate withdrawal of the ban, arguing that it would create political space for what they described as anti-liberation and extremist forces.

They also criticized the government over the country’s economic and social situation, citing rising prices, shortages of gas and electricity, problems in the education sector and what they described as a growing “mob culture.” They also alleged that Awami League leaders and activists were being killed and harassed.

The speakers made a number of allegations against BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. They questioned government decisions concerning aircraft purchases, arguing that greater attention should first be given to essential services and economic challenges inside Bangladesh.

Describing the situation in Bangladesh as a “major crisis,” the speakers alleged that domestic and foreign actors were conspiring over the country’s political and economic future. They claimed that factories and garment industries were facing difficulties and that the country’s production system was being adversely affected.

The speakers also raised concerns about child safety, public health and law and order, alleging that the government was not giving sufficient attention to these issues and was using political retaliation against its opponents.

Speakers further said that banning the Awami League would not end the party’s political existence. Referring to the party’s history, they said the Awami League had returned to politics after facing previous periods of political adversity and expressed confidence that it would again return as a stronger political force.

They also claimed that the ban had left people in Bangladesh and members of the diaspora shocked and angry. Some speakers described the current government as a “black government,” a characterization made by the speakers at the rally.

Among those attending the protest were US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad, adviser Masudul Hasan, former BAKSU General Secretary and freedom fighter Dr. Pradip Ranjan Kar, Organizing Secretary Abul Hasib Mamun, former General Secretary Shamim Chowdhury, founding General Secretary of the US Awami League and mainstream political figure M.A. Salam, journalist Hakikul Islam Khokon, Ramesh Nath, Organizing Secretary Mohiuddin Dewan, freedom fighter Shawkat Akbar Ritchie, Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate Shah Md. Bokhtiar Ali, Education Affairs Secretary M.A. Karim Jahangir, and Dr. Masudul Hasan, president of the US chapter of Sheikh Kamal Parishad.

Also present were Awami League leader and Sheikh Hasina Mancha President freedom fighter Jalal Uddin Jalil, Organizing Secretary Sheikh Selim, Executive Member Shahanara Rahman, Awami League leader and former Union Parishad Chairman Iqbal Hossain, Awami League leaders Akhtar Hossain and Ali Hossain Ghaznavi, among others.

New York State Awami League President and freedom fighter Mujibur Rahman Mia, Vice Presidents Sheikh Atikul Islam and Abul Kashem Bhuiyan, Bangladesh Awami League Foundation Chairman Abdul Kader Mia, New York City Awami League President Rafiqul Rahman Rafiq and General Secretary Emdad Chowdhury also attended.

Others included Connecticut State Awami League General Secretary Humayun Ahmed Chowdhury, Mohila Awami League Joint General Secretary Rumana Akter, Awami League leader A.K. Chowdhury, Jubo League leaders Mizanur Rahman and Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury, US Chhatra League Vice President Shahidul Islam, and US Jubo League leader Khandaker Zahedul Islam.

Virginia State Awami League President G.I. Russell and member Jeba Russell, Metro Washington Awami League President M. Nabi Baki, Vice President Nurul Amin, General Secretary Mohammad Azam and Women’s Affairs Secretary Mohsina Jannat Rimi, as well as Maryland State Awami League President Moinul Majumdar Tapas, Mosharraf Hossain Dulal and Sramik League President Azizul Khokon were also among those present.

The rally concluded with demands for the restoration of the Awami League’s political rights and the return of Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh, along with calls for a fresh election.

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 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 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.