With a busy three-day agenda, the Chief Adviser will deliver a speech at the UNGA on September 27.

Daily Bijoy News Special Correspondent:

Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus will depart Dhaka on September 23 to participate in the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. This presents a significant opportunity for him to outline his government’s priorities following the recent student-led uprising and discuss economic strategies, particularly areas where the international community can assist in stabilizing and strengthening Bangladesh’s economy.

The high-level General Debate begins on September 24. “The Chief Adviser will spend three days in New York, returning on September 27,” Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain shared with reporters during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy. He confirmed that Yunus would travel on a commercial flight and deliver his speech on the final day of his visit.

Hossain emphasized the importance of clarifying the recent political changes in Bangladesh, stating that Prof. Yunus is globally respected and his remarks will be taken seriously. He also noted that he will travel separately to New York two days before Yunus's arrival.

When asked about a possible meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hossain mentioned the timing issues, as Modi will arrive earlier than Yunus. The Chief Adviser is scheduled to hold meetings with leaders from the Netherlands, Pakistan, Nepal, as well as the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator.

In contrast, Hossain will meet with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines. He stated that the government aims to highlight reforms and human rights during the discussions, reaffirming their commitment to addressing these issues.

Regarding delegation size, Hossain noted the current delegation consists of 57 members, significantly fewer than past delegations, which often numbered between 100 and over 300. He attributed this reduction to the government’s desire to avoid unnecessary expenses and limit participation to those with direct responsibilities at the UNGA.

Bangladesh will host a high-level reception on September 24 to celebrate its 50 years of UN membership. The theme of the General Debate is "Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development, and human dignity for present and future generations."

South Asian affairs expert Michael Kugelman commented that Yunus's participation offers a crucial platform for discussing governance, the interim government's objectives, reforms, and the restoration of democracy. He suggested Yunus should also address the Rohingya refugee crisis, advocating for increased international support.

The 79th UNGA session began on September 10, with world leaders gathering on September 22-23 to tackle critical global governance challenges. The inaugural Summit of the Future will focus on modernizing international institutions to better meet current and future challenges. Secretary-General António Guterres stressed the importance of collaboration and compromise among member states to address these pressing issues effectively.

Guterres described the Summit as a vital step toward reforming outdated global institutions and addressing today’s multifaceted crises, including geopolitical divisions, climate change, and the rapid development of technologies like AI. He emphasized the need for mechanisms that are inclusive and reflective of global realities, urging leaders to adopt a Pact for the Future that includes a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.

With over 130 heads of state and government expected to attend, the Summit will also include action days for NGOs, academics, and private sector representatives to engage in discussions around the key themes.

Daily Bijoy News/ Junayed