TDS Desk:

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman prioritised Bangladesh’s interests and sovereignty during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, said his Adviser and PMO spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Wednesday.

He said the prime minister presented various policies and programmes of the new democratic government at the international forum.

Mahdi Amin made the remarks at a press conference on the prime minister’s New York visit on Wednesday afternoon.

He said, “The prime minister took part in a total of 30 official programmes during the brief visit, in addition to several unofficial meetings. He also held formal bilateral meetings with 11 countries.”

They included Pakistan, Bhutan and the Maldives from South Asia; Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran from the Middle East; Thailand from the Asia-Pacific region; Türkiye and Croatia from Europe; and Haiti from the Caribbean.

“In discussions with each country, the prime minister said we should build bilateral relations based on equality, fairness and dignity,” Mahdi Amin said.

He said members of the delegation also held around 50 meetings over four days, while more than 40 bilateral and multilateral meetings were held by the Bangladeshi side overall.

The spokesperson said UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with the prime minister and congratulated him on his victory in the election as the elected prime minister of Bangladesh’s democratic government.

The UN chief also praised Bangladesh’s democratic transition and thanked the country for its significant contribution to UN peacekeeping operations, he said.

Guterres also thanked Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingya community and appreciated various development plans undertaken by the government, according to Mahdi Amin.

He said the prime minister presented Bangladesh’s environmental policies extensively before the international community, including a target to plant 250 million trees in five years and a plan to excavate nearly 20,000km of canals.

The prime minister also presented proposals concerning the Padma Barrage and the Teesta Master Plan, he said.

“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman put forward specific proposals from Bangladesh on the global stage as a world leader,” Mahdi Amin said.

He said the prime minister had upheld Bangladesh’s national interests in the international arena while seeking partnerships, investment and trade with every country.

“Through this, we can ensure self-reliance, economic empowerment and inclusive development for every citizen,” he said.

Mahdi Amin said Bangladesh had demonstrated a firm resolve to stand tall in global diplomacy, adding that the country had reached a new dimension in the international arena through equality and justice.