Published : 26 Sep 2026, 02:19 AM
Updated : 26 Sep 2026, 09:46 AM
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman met leaders of eight countries over four working days in New York, with trade, investment and bilateral ties featuring prominently in his diplomatic engagements on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
The meetings came during Tarique's visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he led a 35-member Bangladesh delegation.
He held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and Maldivian Vice President Uz Hussain Mohamed Latheef.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the talks focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and discussing international issues.
“Alongside attending the General Assembly session, the prime minister held meetings with heads of state and government from various countries,” he said.
“These meetings involved exchanges of views on further strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and commerce and various international issues.”
Tarique also separately met Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
UN, World Bank Talks
Tarique's engagements extended beyond meetings with political leaders.
He met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and World Bank President Ajay Banga, as well as UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.
He also met International Peace Institute President Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein and Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman.
The discussions covered Bangladesh's economy and investment, as well as the Rohingya crisis and efforts to repatriate the refugees to Myanmar.
Tarique attended four high-level meetings covering the Rohingya crisis, the threat posed to coastal countries by rising sea levels, climate action and a just transition, and the integration of midwifery into primary healthcare to prevent maternal and newborn deaths.
Wall Street Pitch
The prime minister also used the New York visit to court international investment.
At a breakfast meeting hosted by JPMorgan, Tarique met Wall Street business leaders and investors for discussions on Bangladesh's economy, investment prospects, trade and the financial sector.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and the Prime Minister's Advisor on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, attended the meeting.
Tarique arrived in New York with his wife Zubaida Rahman on Sept 21.
During the visit, Tarique and Zubaida attended a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for heads of state and government attending the General Assembly. They also attended a breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General Guterres.
Tarique joined the high-level general debate of the 81st UN General Assembly during the visit.
