Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to become the third member of the Zia family to address the United Nations General Assembly when he delivers his maiden speech at the 81st session in New York on September 24.
His speech will mark a new chapter in the Zia family’s more than four-decade engagement with the UN General Assembly. His father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, first addressed the General Assembly on August 26, 1980, while his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, delivered her first address on October 1, 1993. Tarique Rahman is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York on September 21.
In his 1980 address, Ziaur Rahman focused on the growing disparity between rich and poor countries, poverty and hunger, economic development and the need for greater international cooperation.
He questioned why poverty and hunger continued despite international commitments to development. He also called for building a world based on peace, human dignity, justice and a sense of mutual responsibility among nations.
Thirteen years later, on October 1, 1993, Khaleda Zia addressed the 48th session of the UN General Assembly. She subsequently spoke at several other UN General Assembly events, including a commemorative meeting marking the UN’s 50th anniversary in 1995 and the 27th Special Session on Children in 2002.
She also addressed two separate meetings of the 60th session in 2005. According to UN records, Khaleda Zia spoke at General Assembly proceedings five times between 1993 and 2005.
Tarique Rahman will now address the same international forum for the first time as Bangladesh’s prime minister.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Tarique Rahman would leave Dhaka on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and is scheduled to deliver his address on September 24.
She said climate change would receive particular emphasis in the prime minister’s speech, with Bangladesh set to present its position and priorities to the international community.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kobir said the prime minister would present Bangladesh’s new perspectives and future plans to world leaders. These would include the country’s democratic transition, future development priorities, global peace and sustainable solutions to international crises.
He said poverty reduction, Bangladesh’s economic potential, climate action and climate finance would also feature in the speech. The Rohingya crisis would remain a major priority during the visit.
The 81st session carries additional significance for Bangladesh as Dr Khalilur Rahman is serving as president of the UN General Assembly for the session. The UN confirms that Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the 81st session.
According to the UN’s official schedule, the general debate of the 81st General Assembly session will take place from September 22 to 26 and on September 28 at UN Headquarters in New York.
Tarique Rahman’s scheduled address on September 24 will therefore add another chapter to the Zia family’s participation in the UN General Assembly, following the appearances of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.
