Tarique Rahman Set to Address UNGA as Third Family Member

Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Photo : Collage

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to become the third member of his family to address the United Nations General Assembly, with his maiden speech scheduled for September 24 during the 81st session in New York.

His father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, was the first member of the family to address the UN General Assembly, doing so on August 26, 1980. His mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, first addressed the Assembly on October 1, 1993.

Tarique Rahman’s forthcoming address will mark another chapter in the family’s association with the UN General Assembly, spanning more than four decades.

Ziaur Rahman addressed the General Assembly during its 11th Special Session in 1980. His speech focused on the widening gap between rich and poor countries, poverty and hunger, economic development and the need for greater international cooperation.

He also spoke about the persistence of poverty and hunger despite international commitments to development and called for a world based on peace, human dignity, justice and mutual responsibility among nations.

Thirteen years later, Khaleda Zia addressed the General Assembly during its 48th session on October 1, 1993.

She subsequently addressed General Assembly proceedings on several other occasions, including the commemorative meeting marking the UN’s 50th anniversary in 1995, the 27th Special Session on Children in 2002 and two separate meetings during the 60th session in 2005.

UN records show Khaleda Zia addressed General Assembly proceedings on five occasions between 1993 and 2005.

Now, Tarique Rahman is preparing to take the same international platform for the first time as prime minister of Bangladesh.

According to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, the prime minister is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York on September 21 to attend the 81st session of the UN General Assembly and is expected to address the Assembly on September 24.

She said climate change would feature prominently in his speech, with Bangladesh set to present its position and priorities on the issue to the international community.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said the prime minister would present Bangladesh’s new outlook and future vision, highlighting the country’s democratic transformation, development priorities, global peace and sustainable solutions to international crises.

He said poverty eradication, economic prospects, climate action and climate finance would also feature in the address, while the Rohingya crisis would remain a major priority during the visit.

The 81st session carries additional significance for Bangladesh as Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman is serving as president of the General Assembly. The UN confirms that Khalilur Rahman is presiding over the 81st session, whose theme is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”

The General Assembly’s general debate is scheduled for September 22–26 and September 28.

Tarique Rahman’s maiden UNGA address will therefore add a new chapter to his family’s association with the world body, following Ziaur Rahman’s address in 1980 and Khaleda Zia’s appearances from 1993 to 2005.