The visit will be shorter than the nine-day trip initially planned, with the prime minister expected to remain in New York until September 25. He will be accompanied by a relatively small delegation, according to officials.
The visit comes at a significant time for Bangladesh at the United Nations. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is serving as president of the 81st General Assembly, whose theme is “Restoring Trust, Managing Transformation: A United Nations That Delivers for All.”
According to government officials, the prime minister is expected to present Bangladesh's priorities on development, climate action, economic prospects, global peace and the Rohingya crisis during his UNGA engagements.
Bilateral meetings on the sidelines
Tarique Rahman is expected to hold more than a dozen bilateral and high-level meetings during his brief stay in New York.
Diplomatic sources said the possible meetings include talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
He is also expected to meet senior officials of the United Nations and international organisations, with the Rohingya crisis and other development and global issues likely to feature in his engagements.
Bangladesh is also scheduled to hold discussions on the Rohingya issue on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
Domestic economic and energy challenges
The prime minister's UN visit comes as Bangladesh continues to deal with inflation and an energy shortage.
According to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics data, overall inflation fell to 8.26 percent in August from 8.32 percent in July, marking the lowest level in 10 months. Food inflation declined to 7.02 percent, although non-food inflation rose to 9.32 percent.
The government has also announced a series of measures to increase domestic gas production and reduce pressure from imported energy.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told Parliament that the government was implementing a programme covering 150 gas wells. Thirty wells had already been drilled or worked over under the programme, adding about 100 million cubic feet per day to the national grid, according to government figures.
The government also plans to increase LNG-handling capacity. It currently has two floating storage and regasification units, or FSRUs, and plans to add more in the coming years. The government has also approved the import of 18 LNG cargoes from TotalEnergies between October 2026 and June 2027 to address immediate energy needs.
Bangladesh's energy situation remains challenging, however. Recent disruptions linked to the wider regional conflict have pushed up LNG prices and affected gas supplies to industries and power plants.
Focus on a changing Bangladesh
The government is expected to use the UN platform to outline its vision for Bangladesh and its priorities for the coming years.
The prime minister's office and foreign ministry have described the visit as an opportunity to engage with world leaders and international organisations on Bangladesh's development priorities and global concerns.
For Bangladesh, the visit also carries a symbolic significance as Tarique Rahman becomes the third member of his family to address the UN General Assembly. His father, Ziaur Rahman, addressed the General Assembly in 1980, while his mother, Khaleda Zia, first addressed the Assembly in 1993.
With Bangladesh holding the presidency of the 81st General Assembly through Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Tarique Rahman's first UNGA address will place the country's domestic priorities and foreign-policy positions before a broad international audience.
