World Leaders See Tarique as Transformative Leader: Adviser

World leaders are viewing Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership as “transformative” following Bangladesh's democratic transition, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir has said.

He said leaders of different countries had described Tarique as a “transformative leader” during courtesy calls and bilateral meetings. They were also giving importance to his role in leading Bangladesh's population of around 180–200 million people and the democratic mandate he received, the state minister added.

Humayun made the remarks at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Pavilion in Antalya, Türkiye, on Wednesday evening local time, on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP31.

He said the prime minister had attended the opening session and plenary of the COP31 World Leaders Summit throughout the day. During the event, Tarique held courtesy meetings with heads of state and government and representatives of international organisations. He also held two important bilateral meetings with the presidents of Uzbekistan and the vice-president of China.

According to Humayun, the prime minister also held courtesy meetings with the presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria and Somalia; the prime ministers of Moldova, Pakistan and Kuwait; the secretary-general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); the mayor of London; and the president of the Zero Waste Foundation.

The state minister said the meetings took place in a warm and cordial atmosphere. World leaders congratulated Tarique on Bangladesh's democratic transition and his electoral mandate, while expressing interest in strengthening bilateral relations and working together on various international issues.

Humayun said Tarique had invited the Brazilian president to visit Bangladesh. The Maldivian president also expressed interest in visiting the country soon.

The Syrian president sought Bangladesh's cooperation in the country's reconstruction, investment, skilled manpower and employment generation, he added.

During the meeting with Pakistan's prime minister, the two sides discussed regional stability, the situation in the Middle East and issues of mutual interest.

In his meeting with the OIC secretary-general, Tarique reaffirmed Bangladesh's firm position on the Palestine issue and its continued support for a two-state solution.

Regarding the meeting with the mayor of London, Humayun said the mayor had expressed interest in meeting Tarique because the prime minister had lived in London for a long time. The two subsequently held a courtesy meeting.

The meeting with Kuwait's prime minister focused on the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen investment and economic partnership.

On the bilateral meeting with Uzbekistan's president, Humayun said the discussions covered the introduction of direct air connectivity between the two countries, easing visa procedures and expanding bilateral relations.

The Uzbek president invited Tarique to visit his country, and the prime minister expressed his intention to make the visit sometime next year, the state minister said.

During the meeting with China's vice-president, discussions focused on strengthening political and economic relations with China, one of Bangladesh's key development partners.

Particular attention was given to increasing Chinese investment in energy, heavy industry, employment generation and infrastructure, Humayun said.

He added that potential Chinese investment in several projects in Bangladesh's energy sector, including the installation of floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) for liquefied natural gas, was discussed.

The two sides also discussed the possibility of establishing a regional economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China and Myanmar, as well as China's cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis.

Humayun said Bangladesh had sought China's support for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, adding that coordinated international efforts were needed alongside bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

Describing the meeting between Tarique and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the state minister said it had been highly productive. The discussions covered political relations, mutual cooperation and various international issues.

He said the two leaders also had positive discussions on the potential role Bangladesh could play in promoting peace in the Muslim world.

Bangladesh has extensive experience and contributions in United Nations peacekeeping operations, Humayun said. He added that if an opportunity arose to use the country's experience in promoting peace in the Muslim world, Bangladesh would consider it positively in light of its national interests.

The state minister also said the prime minister's wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, attended a COP31 side event on zero-waste management.

At the event, she highlighted the Bangladesh government's policy initiatives to turn waste into resources and energy, as well as the need for technological cooperation in this area.

Humayun said Tarique would present Bangladesh's position at the COP31 conference on Thursday, outlining the country's priorities in addressing the impacts of climate change. The prime minister was also scheduled to attend several other important programmes and meetings.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu were also present at the press conference.