Prime Minister Tarique Rahman returned home on Sunday after a five-day visit to the United States to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).The prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and other members of the delegation.The flight carrying the prime minister landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at around 8:30am on Sunday, September 27.
According to Hasan Shiplu, Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister, the flight arrived at Dubai International Airport at 8:23pm UAE time. After a six-hour stopover in Dubai, it departed for Dhaka at 2:10am.
During his visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman addressed the UN General Debate, highlighting Bangladesh's priorities on global peace and security, democracy, climate change, sustainable development, humanitarian crises, economic cooperation and the Rohingya crisis.
He also called for increased international cooperation to ensure the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
During his four-day programme in New York, the prime minister attended around 30 official engagements, including bilateral meetings with representatives of 11 countries.
The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including Bangladesh's national interests, trade and investment, overseas employment, energy security, regional cooperation, the Rohingya crisis, healthcare, climate change and international peace and security.
During the visit, the prime minister held meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, among other senior leaders.
The meetings focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, development cooperation, regional developments and a range of international issues.
As part of Bangladesh's economic diplomacy during the visit, an agreement was signed with Boeing for Biman Bangladesh Airlines to purchase 11 aircraft.
The prime minister also held meetings with representatives of the World Bank and Wall Street. Discussions at those meetings focused on Bangladesh's economic priorities, investment opportunities, development cooperation and prospects for new partnerships.
Climate change and rising sea levels were also among the key issues addressed by the prime minister at several high-level events. He also outlined plans for reforms in the health sector, strengthening primary healthcare and recruiting additional healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, Dr Zubaida Rahman took part in several high-level programmes during the visit. She addressed events focusing on women's leadership, maternal and child health, and midwifery.
The prime minister's return marks the conclusion of his five-day US visit, during which Bangladesh's economic, diplomatic, climate, healthcare and humanitarian priorities were highlighted in a series of multilateral and bilateral engagements.