Prof Yunus set to address UNGA today presenting new Bangladesh to global audience

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus is set to deliver his speech at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday through which he will introduce a new Bangladesh with the global community highlighting his government’s efforts to realise the dreams of the people, specially the youth.

Prof Yunus is scheduled to address at the General Debate of the 79th Session of the General Assembly in between 10am to 11:30am (NY time) and in between 8pm to 9:30pm Bangladesh time on Friday, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.

The chief adviser would be speaking on the biggest global platform since he took over the role leading the interim government.

The Chief Adviser will deliver his speech in Bangla, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB, adding that it would be an epoch-making speech.

Apart from giving a background on July-August mass uprising and the role of youth and their dreams of having a better Bangladesh, Prof Yunus is likely to highlight his government’s reforms agenda as he guides the country towards economic stability ensuring equitable future for all Bangladeshis.

Prof Yunus’ greater engagement on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York is seen as a big opportunity for him to share his government’s priorities following the student-led mass uprising, and economic plans including which areas specifically the international community can be helpful in strengthening and stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said a major political changeover has taken place in Bangladesh and they want to let people know so that no confusion remains regarding what happened in Bangladesh.

He said Prof Yunus is highly respected globally and all countries will take his remarks seriously.

In his speech, Prof Yunus is expected to present the details of the unimaginable mass uprising that happened in Bangladesh in the last two months and his conviction to build a state system that is people-oriented, welfare-oriented and dedicated to public interest in the coming days.

“Besides, Bangladesh’s strong position in peacekeeping operations in ensuring international peace and security, climate change and its impact, establishment of climate justice, global conflict, Rohingya crisis, difficulties of developing countries in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prevention of resource trafficking from developing countries, safe Issues related to immigration, ensuring migrants access to basic services, sustainable transfer of technology in terms of generative artificial intelligence, and Palestine are likely to come up in his speech,” Hossain said.

“It goes without saying that the interim government has initiated reforms to build a new Bangladesh. In this context, this session is a new step for new Bangladesh in the United Nations or the world meeting. In this session, we have a great opportunity to present this non-discrimination, justice-based Bangladesh to the world,” Hossain said.

On 26 September, Prof Yunus attended around 15 meetings on the sidelines of the UNGA.

He is scheduled to attend at least six events before his departure for Dhaka on Friday night.