USA Bureau 

The United States chapter of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) hosted a press conference in New York on Saturday evening  requesting support from expatriate Bangladeshis to ensure the successful visit of Prime Minister and BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to arrive in New York on Monday afternoon, September 21, 2026, to participate in the UNGA high-level week before departing on September 25, 2026. BNP leaders presented a written statement and addressed questions from journalists, with key central and international leaders in attendance, including BNP Central International Secretary Anwar Hossain Khokon, Central Executive Committee members Abdul Latif Samrat, Zillur Rahman Zill, Gias Ahmed, Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan Milton, Golam Faruque Shaheen, and Jubo Dal Central Vice President Abu Sayeed Ahmed. Senior state and central BNP representatives, including Shorafat Hossain Babu, Kamal Pasha Babul, Niaz Ahmed Jewel, and Oli Ullah Atiqur Rahman, were also present.

Party leaders highlighted the historical significance of the visit, noting that it represents the first participation of the new government at the highest global assembly. It also marks the first time a Bangladeshi Foreign Minister serves as the President of the UN General Assembly since Humayun Rasheed Choudhury presided over the 41st session in 1986–1987. Expatriates were urged to maintain peace, avoid provocations from rival political outfits including the US Awami League, and support national reconstruction and investment initiatives.

According to the official itinerary outlined by diplomatic sources, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will commence his formal engagements on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, attending the UN Secretary-General's welcoming breakfast, the opening session of the General Assembly, and the US President's evening reception. On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, he will participate in a breakfast meeting with international humanitarian agencies, deliver an address on global inequality hosted by Brazil, South Africa, Norway, and Spain, attend a high-level climate action session, and mainstage a Bangladesh-hosted side event on the Rohingya crisis.

On Thursday, September 24, 2026, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will deliver Bangladesh's general debate address before the General Assembly. He will also open a high-level meeting on sea-level rise convened by the UNGA President, lead a side event on maternal and newborn health, and hold bilateral meetings with heads of state and international organizations—including the Crown Prince of Kuwait, the Prime Ministers of Croatia, Bhutan, Thailand, Pakistan, and Haiti, the UN Secretary-General, the World Bank Group President, and corporate executives from Wall Street and Meta.

The press conference confirmed that a previously planned civic reception organized by the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York and a standalone press conference with local media personnel have been cancelled.