Desk Report:
Bangladesh’s participation in this session of the UN General Assembly is remarkably low-key, making it particularly significant.
In the past, massive delegations used to accompany the leadership; consequently, many did not hesitate to criticize these trips as state-funded picnics.
Dr. Muhammad Yunus led the Bangladeshi delegation during the previous UN General Assembly session. He traveled to New York with a huge entourage, holding meetings for his own organization at the public’s expense and engaging in mere courtesy calls with a few individuals.
The achievements of that visit were as “zero” as Yunus’s “Zero Theory.” In contrast, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s UN visit this time is entirely different. He is traveling to the United States with a small team, where every member has a specific responsibility.
While the Prime Minister’s visit is brief, it is highly significant. It marks the shortest visit to New York by a head of government in Bangladesh’s 17-year history. Although he is accompanied by the smallest delegation ever, this promises to be Bangladesh’s most effective diplomatic initiative.
He is scheduled to deliver his speech on September 24 and depart from New York for Dhaka on the night of September 25.
Initially, plans were made for a US visit spanning September 21 to 29, including a trip from New York to San Francisco. However, considering the reality on the ground, the Prime Minister himself curtailed the itinerary. This reflects the character of the “transformed Bangladesh” under Tarique Rahman’s leadership—a transformation rooted in the philosophy of putting Bangladesh first.
Tarique Rahman has been spearheading the fight against waste and corruption ever since assuming the responsibility of governing the country—and not just during this UN visit. He has reduced excessive protocol and earned the respect of the nation—becoming a role model—by opting for a simple lunch costing just 150 Taka. When the Prime Minister himself practices austerity and remains free from corruption, it becomes impossible for others in the government to engage in corrupt practices or wastefulness. This leads to a reduction in corruption and waste across the entire country—a fact proven in Bangladesh over the past seven months.
Tarique Rahman assumed the role of Prime Minister during a critical period. The Yunus administration had reduced Bangladesh to a state of ruin over the course of a year and a half; the country’s economic condition was dire, characterized by rising unemployment and poverty rates, as well as stagnation in the private sector. Amidst this, the Iran war broke out shortly after the BNP government took office. A severe fuel oil crisis emerged across the globe. Thanks to the Prime Minister’s tireless efforts and astute leadership, Bangladesh successfully navigated this crisis. Even developed nations witnessed abnormal price hikes due to the fuel shortage, leading to rampant inflation in those countries. The cost of essential commodities soared beyond the purchasing power of the average citizen. Nations like the UK, France, and Germany are currently struggling to manage the situation. In contrast, the seven-month-old BNP government not only resolved the fuel crisis but also succeeded in curbing inflation. Following months of high inflation, the trend of easing price pressures continues; overall inflation dropped to 8.26 percent in August—marking the third consecutive month of decline.
This represents the lowest inflation rate recorded in the past ten months. Concurrently, food inflation has dropped to the 7 percent range, signaling a reduction in price pressures within the market for essential goods.
While currencies in most countries have depreciated against the US dollar, the value of the Taka has remained stable and strong, thanks to Tarique Rahman’s prudence, austerity measures, and zero-tolerance policy toward corruption. The Prime Minister has demonstrated—through personal example—that small steps can lead to monumental results. She first eliminated the wasteful expenditures typically associated with the office of the Prime Minister or Chief Advisor, subsequently curbing waste across the government and among ministers. When policymakers eschew waste and remain free from corruption, the entire nation follows suit. Consequently, Tarique Rahman has largely succeeded in turning the country around, despite inheriting a fragile economy.
The power sector suffered from rampant plunder over the past 17 years, disrupting electricity generation and causing severe load-shedding that devastated public life. Flawed energy policies under the previous two administrations triggered a nationwide gas crisis, forcing numerous factories to shut down. Measures have now been taken to address this situation and find a permanent solution to the gas shortage. The Prime Minister has directed the drilling of 150 new gas wells across the country; once the first phase is complete, work on drilling another 150 wells will commence. Currently, there are two floating LNG terminals (FSRUs) in operation. Plans are in place to launch a third FSRU—ideally before 2028—and to eventually have a total of five FSRUs in the long run. The government has granted in-principle approval for the import of 18 LNG cargoes and secured a $1 billion international financing agreement to expand the Eastern Refinery in Chattogram. Initiatives have also been undertaken to boost the national grid’s supply by 1,046.73 MW by rectifying technical faults in the power sector, alongside plans to establish a 500 MW power plant and a fertilizer factory in Bhola, and to add 200 MW of solar power to the national grid.
Yunus had conspired to destroy the private sector. Consequently, the private sector in Bangladesh collapsed within a year and a half. Industrialists, aggrieved and frustrated by false lawsuits filed against them and incidents of arson and vandalism at their factories, had suspended business operations. Thousands of factories shut down, and hundreds of thousands of workers lost their jobs during the Yunus administration. Since Tarique Rahman assumed power, special initiatives have been taken to reopen these closed factories. The Prime Minister personally held meetings with various industrialists and issued multiple directives to restart the shuttered plants. Revitalizing the private sector is a top priority for the government, a move that has generated immense enthusiasm among entrepreneurs and the business community.
The BNP government has been working to improve the living standards of the impoverished population since its very first day in office. Through innovative initiatives like ‘Family Cards’ and ‘Farmer Cards,’ Tarique Rahman has quickly become a trusted figure among marginalized communities.
Introducing a new pay scale for government employees amidst an economic crisis stands as a bold initiative by the government.
Tarique Rahman’s government is making all-out efforts to lift Bangladesh from the ruins. The Prime Minister will attend the UN General Assembly session to showcase Bangladesh’s story of recovery and present the transformed nation to the global stage.
High-level UN meetings will cover topics such as development, pandemic prevention, rising sea levels, and nuclear disarmament. Additionally, Bangladesh is organizing discussions on several issues—including the Rohingya crisis—on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly session in New York.
Diplomatic sources in New York indicate that the Prime Minister is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with top leaders from various nations during the session. The list of potential leaders includes Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. In addition, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh will hold meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, President of the European Council António Costa, World Bank President Ajay Banga, and Boeing Global President Brendan Nelson.
It is reported that the Prime Minister will attend a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump during the visit.
The Prime Minister will present a “New Bangladesh” to the global community—a nation forging ahead, overcoming all obstacles under the guidance of a leader who is hardworking and truly extraordinary despite her unassuming nature; a leader who is deeply connected to the people. This visit by the Prime Minister will elevate Bangladesh to new heights on the global stage.
