Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told the United Nations General Assembly that wars and conflicts continue to weigh heavily on the world economy, with disruptions to energy supply chains and inflationary pressures further exacerbating the global economic situation.
In his inaugural address to the global forum, he noted that in an era of globalization, events in one part of the world inevitably reverberate across borders, affecting nations to varying degrees. He added that ongoing man‑made conflicts have generated instability in many regions, displacing large populations and triggering humanitarian crises.
In a speech delivered at United Nations headquarters in New York early yesterday, Bangladesh time, Tarique said, “We believe that any conflict should be resolved through dialogue, diplomatic processes and mutual cooperation.”
Speaking about his vision of a peaceful world and a humane international community, he said he hopes that reason, debate, diplomacy, education and human values—rather than instruments of destruction—will emerge as the driving forces of change.
Tarique described the United Nations as the cornerstone of a global order built on dialogue, consensus and peaceful coexistence, and said, “Today, I once again reaffirm Bangladesh’s support for all United Nations initiatives aimed at advancing global peace and upholding the values of humanity.”
He said that the increasing shift by governments of development funds toward defence expenditures constitutes a significant obstacle to worldwide peace. He added that Bangladesh, as a peace‑loving nation, remains committed to the goals of comprehensive disarmament, nuclear non‑proliferation and arms control.
Tarique said that the people of Bangladesh remain deeply concerned about the suffering of the Palestinian people in their struggle for self‑determination, adding, “Bangladesh reaffirms its steadfast support for their legitimate aspirations, including their right to self‑determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.”
In his address, Tarique underscored a series of urgent matters, citing the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis, his government’s policy priorities, Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate‑change impacts, and a range of broader regional and international concerns.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that for more than nine years Bangladesh has been sheltering over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees forcibly displaced from Myanmar. She added that this situation has placed immense pressure on the country’s resources, environment, security and local communities.
He asserts that the root cause of the Rohingya crisis lies in Myanmar and that its resolution must also be found there. “The only solution to this problem is the safe return of the displaced Rohingya population to their homeland,” he said.
Bangladesh expects firm and effective support from the United Nations and the international community to secure a lasting solution to the crisis, Tarique said.
He urged the United Nations and the broader international community to maintain life‑saving assistance programmes for the displaced Rohingya population until they can be repatriated to Myanmar.
He warned that if the international community does not secure justice for the displaced Rohingya population, it could develop into a humanitarian crisis in the near future.
Tarique Rahman began his address to the General Debate at around 6:15pm (New York time), with the session chaired by UNGA President and Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman.
The occasion also carried personal significance for Tarique, as both his late parents, former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, had addressed the UN General Assembly from the same podium.
Bangladesh is pursuing a three-R strategy—Recovery, Restoration, and Reconstruction—to rebuild the country following more than a decade and a half of what Tarique described as fascist rule and exploitation.
“The country became free from fascism in 2024, bringing an end to more than one and a half decades of fascist rule,” the statement noted. “It is now once again embarking on the path of democracy.”
Insisting that an immense horizon of possibilities was now open before Bangladesh, he stated that the government had begun implementing extensive programmes to transform the country’s working-age population into skilled human resources by taking advantage of the demographic dividend.
Tarique emphasized that Bangladesh aims to become a regional "manufacturing hub" and urged development partners to support the nation's efforts in achieving this objective.
The prime minister noted that more than half of Bangladesh’s population consisted of women, adding that the government was prioritizing their education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
He also mentioned that the government aimed to guarantee not only electoral democracy but also the “democratisation of the economy,” ensuring that the benefits of economic growth and prosperity reached every family and citizen.
To achieve this, he said the government has introduced support programmes for economically disadvantaged people through various social protection schemes, including the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, Sports Card and e-Health Card.
He further said the government also planned to introduce a “Universal Card” by integrating the cards introduced to provide support in every sector.
While presenting his vision for Bangladesh, the prime minister asserted that a state cannot grow strong by leaving its citizens powerless.
“Bangladesh wants to establish a prosperous, self-reliant, welfare-oriented democratic state where people, regardless of political affiliation, religion or race, could live safely with equal rights, respect and dignity.”
"Bangladesh First: Bangladesh for All," he said, outlining the government’s vision of a country where young people could pursue their dreams without fear, women could live with confidence and every child could realise their full potential.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s vulnerability to climate change despite its limited contribution to global carbon emissions, the prime minister called for stronger global action at COP31 concerning climate justice, climate finance and adaptation support.
He said the government had also begun implementing the Teesta Master Plan and the Padma Barrage project to increase freshwater flow to the Sundarbans and conserve water through large reservoirs.
Tarique stated that science and technology will shape the future, with artificial intelligence, biotechnology and other scientific advances creating new opportunities.
He cautioned, however, against allowing today’s digital divide to become tomorrow’s “artificial intelligence divide.”
As Bangladesh prepares to graduate from the UN’s Least Developed Countries category, he sought continued international support in financing, market access, technology transfer and capacity building to make the transition sustainable.
Tarique stated that the Covid-19 pandemic conveyed a message to the world that mutual assistance, empathy, and cooperation are essential for the survival of the global community. He emphasized that it is vital to ensure the sustainable production of vaccines, medical supplies, and diagnostic equipment in developing countries to make them readily accessible to everyone.
Paying tribute to the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, he also recalled those killed and injured during the July uprising early on in his speech.
Why it matters
This article demonstrates how Bangladesh leverages diplomatic platforms to advance regional stability and international partnerships amid domestic challenges.