Multiple government and party sources said the prime minister also plans to attend a two-day event in San Francisco, California, after the visit. He is expected to return home from there. The entire trip may last 8 to 10 days, according to the sources.
Preparations are underway at the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the visit. Work is also progressing to finalize the itinerary, bilateral meetings and other official programs.
According to diplomatic analysts, this year's UN General Assembly session has special significance because Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has been elected president of the session. As a result, after nearly four decades, the presence of Bangladesh's head of government and a Bangladeshi representative serving as president of the General Assembly at the UN headquarters at the same time is being considered an important event in international diplomatic circles.
The Prime Minister's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli told the media that the prime minister will visit New York to attend the UN General Assembly session. However, the final schedule of the visit has not yet been determined, and necessary preparations are underway.
According to diplomatic and party sources, after arriving in New York on September 21, the prime minister may take part in several bilateral and multilateral meetings with heads of state and government. In addition, he is likely to present Bangladesh's statement to world leaders at the UN General Assembly session on September 24.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's US visit, nearly two decades later, has generated widespread enthusiasm among expatriate Bangladeshis. In particular, BNP USA and its affiliated organizations have started various preparations for the visit. Organizers said a large civic reception is also being arranged to welcome the prime minister in New York. A virtual preparatory meeting has already been held for this purpose, and preparations are underway for leaders and activists from various US states to participate.
It may be noted that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Malaysia and China from July 21 to 26 as his first official visit after forming the government. During that visit, several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed on various issues, including manpower export, trade expansion and corridor development. According to relevant sources, there are currently no plans for any other foreign trip by the prime minister before attending the UN General Assembly session.
