Staff Correspondent
Chief Adviser Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus will depart for New York on September 23 to attend the 79th
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as he is scheduled to deliver his speech at the high-level
General Debate on September 27.
"In his speech, he is expected to highlight the remarkable mass uprising over the past two months in
Bangladesh and reaffirm his commitment to establishing a pro-people, welfare-oriented, and public
interest-driven state mechanism," Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said, recently.
The adviser was speaking at the curtain raiser media briefing on Bangladesh's participation at the 79th
UNGA at the foreign ministry here.
He said the chief adviser's speech would also feature issues such as Bangladesh's strong stance in
international peacekeeping, climate change, global conflicts, Rohingya crisis, challenges faced by
developing nations in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), preventing the illicit flow of
resources, and safeguarding migrant rights.
"The chief adviser will stay in New York only for three days, departing for Dhaka on September 27," he
said, adding that the chief adviser will board on commercial flights not a charter flight like the previous
head of the governments.
Highlighting the significance of Prof Yunus's participation, Hossain noted that the Nobel laureate is
highly respected globally, and his remarks will carry weight on the international community.
"It is important to note that the interim government of Bangladesh has initiated reforms aimed at
building a new Bangladesh and this UNGA session presents a great opportunity to showcase our
inclusive, justice-oriented vision to the global community," he said.
During his stay in New York, he also said the chief adviser is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the
Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Besides, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President of the European Union, UN Secretary-General,
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, President of the World Bank, and USAID Administrator will call
on Prof Yunus to have bilateral talks.
The foreign adviser emphasized that human rights and government's reform initiatives will be the
central themes in these discussions, with Bangladesh continuing to make commitments on the human
rights issues.
This year's UNGA is particularly significant for Bangladesh, as it marks the 50th anniversary of
Bangladesh's membership in the United Nations," he said, adding that Bangladesh will host a high-level
reception on September 24 in presence of Prof Yunus marking the milestone.
“We expect delegation leaders from various countries, senior UN officials, head of several international
organizations, and possibly some heads of state to attend," he said.
While asked for names of the head of governments or states likely to attend the Bangladesh reception,
the foreign adviser said the confirmed participation is still speculative.
In contrast to previous delegations, which ranged from 100 to over 300 members, this year's delegation
members will be limited to 57, largely comprising security personnel.
