By ARAKAN JOURNAL STAFF
SEPTEMBER 20, 2026
Dhaka, September 2026 – Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to use his first address to the United Nations General Assembly to draw renewed international attention to the prolonged Rohingya crisis and seek stronger global cooperation toward a solution.
Rahman is scheduled to address the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on September 24 in Bangla. According to Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, the speech will cover a range of national, regional and global issues, with the Rohingya crisis among the key priorities.
The prime minister is also scheduled to attend a Bangladesh-hosted side event on the Rohingya issue on September 23. Bangladesh plans to seek greater international cooperation to facilitate the earliest possible return of forcibly displaced Rohingya to Myanmar.
Foreign Secretary Siam said Bangladesh would use the gathering of world leaders to again highlight the scale of the crisis, the challenges facing the country and the international support needed to address the situation.
Bangladesh has consistently said that the return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar must be safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable.
The Rohingya crisis stems from the mass displacement of Rohingya people from Myanmar, with Bangladesh continuing to host a large refugee population in Cox’s Bazar.
Wider global issues
Beyond the Rohingya crisis, Rahman is expected to address Bangladesh’s democratic transition, the rule of law and accountability, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development and international economic cooperation.
Youth and women’s empowerment, education, healthcare, access to modern technology and reform of the multicultural system are also expected to feature in his address.
Climate change will receive particular attention during the visit. On September 23, the prime minister is scheduled to participate in a high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition. He is also expected to take part in a meeting focused on the threats posed by rising sea levels.
Bangladesh is expected to use these forums to call for stronger international action on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage and climate justice.
Diplomatic meeting
Rahman is scheduled to travel to New York on September 21 and remain there until September 25 for a series of UN and bilateral engagements.
According to the Foreign Secretary, the prime minister is expected to meet several foreign leaders as well as senior officials from the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank. Discussions are expected to include bilateral relations, economic cooperation, development and the Rohingya crisis.
The UN visit comes as Bangladesh seeks to keep the Rohingya crisis high on the international agenda and obtain greater international support for a long-term solution.
Source: BSS
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