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Published : 25 Mar 2026, 01:18 PM
Zubaida Rahman, the wife of the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has called for greater emphasis on children's health and education in shaping the future during the “Fostering the Future Together Global Coalition Summit” in the United States.
"The future of every country is determined by the lives and development of its children. The care we take of them today, the investment we make in their education, and the values we instil, will shape the nation in the future," she said.
US First Lady Melania Trump officially inaugurated the conference at the US State Department on Tuesday. Zubaida is taking part in the two-day conference at Melania's invitation, the BNP's Media Cell said.
The first ladies and wives of state leaders from more than 40 countries are participating in the conference. The conference is serving as a platform for high-level dialogue on the welfare of children worldwide.
In the working session of the opening ceremony, Zubaida thanked the US first lady for bringing together world leaders and partners in a global commitment to the development of children.
“The future of every nation depends on the care, education and values it cultivates in its children. It is a great honour for me to join you at this historic conference today,” she said.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s position, she said: “I have come here at a crucial moment for my country. Under the leadership of my husband, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Tarique Rahman, our newly elected democratic government has come to power with a massive mandate.
“With the aim of building an inclusive and progressive nation, our government has already launched initiatives like the ‘Family Card’ and ‘Farmers Card’, which will strengthen families by providing financial benefits and also ensure that children grow up in a safe and caring environment.”
Zubaida said, “As a doctor, I am deeply committed to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for every child, where emphasis is not only on treatment but also on disease prevention from the very early stages of life.”
In the context of inclusive and future-oriented education, Zubaida spoke about the Ziaur Rahman Foundation. She is the organisation’s vice chairman.
“My work with the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and Surovi has further strengthened my commitment to promoting education, youth development and public welfare. We believe that the responsible use of artificial intelligence can transform the education system, especially in countries like Bangladesh, where trained teachers and easy access to materials are still elusive.
“Our government is equipping both teachers and students with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital age. Our government is providing tablet computers to teachers, updating teaching materials, introducing digital curricula and innovative methods. Classrooms are incorporating multimedia content, which encourages teamwork, creativity and role-playing.”
She continued, “Technology, especially educational technology, plays a vital role in reducing disparities between urban and rural populations. We are committed to ensuring the safe and ethical use of these tools so that children grow up in a safe and supportive environment.”
Noting that her mother-in-law, former prime minister Khaleda Zia, had brought about a “milestone” in women’s empowerment, Zubaida said: “Former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia advanced women’s rights and introduced free education for girls up to Class 12. Our government is committed to ensuring free education for women up to the postgraduate level.
“Martyred president Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation of the public sector and created employment opportunities for millions of women. These efforts prove that when women are empowered, families are strengthened and children prosper.”
In this regard, she said: "Through this, we want to expand the safe digital space, train teachers, empower parents and improve the quality of education for all."
"Through strong technological cooperation, we want to connect every region, protect every child and personalise every learning journey. Together, we can build a generation that is tolerant, compassionate and ready for the future."
Zubaida left Dhaka on Mar 22 to attend the conference. She reached the United States via London the next day.
She is leading a four-member delegation, which also includes Prof Morshed Hasan Khan of the Department of Marketing at Dhaka University, Orthopaedic Surgeon Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah and lawyer Mehnaz Mannan.
Alongside the Global Coalition Summit, an exhibition was organised in Washington on Tuesday with the participation of 11 leading technology companies, where various technologies for improving children's education were presented. Zubaida toured the exhibition.
She will also participate in the closing session of the conference hosted by the US first lady at the White House on Wednesday.
