UNGA speech: PM to focus on Rohingya reparation

Quick repatriation of the Rohingyas, price hike of food and fuel caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and climate change will be the priorities of prime minister Sheikh Hasina's speech at the UN General Assembly.

"Myanmar is not taking back the Rohingyas though it is five years of the influx. We would strongly urge the UN and the international community to raise their voice and work for Rohingya repatriation," said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen while briefing journalists at the ministry yesterday as the PM leaves today for the UK and the US for a two-week visit.

In the UK, she will join the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19 before flying to New York to attend the UNGA until September 25.

Most of her scheduled events in the UK were cancelled due to the Queen's death and she will only attend one or two receptions there, Momen said.

Education Minister Dipu Moni will represent the premier at the "Transforming Education Summit" during the UNGA's 77th session on September 19 as the PM will be in London at that time.

The Bangladesh delegation to this session, which will begin on September 19, will reach New York on September 20. This year's UNGA is titled "A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges".

Momen, Dipu Moni, Health Minister Zahid Maleque and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam, among others, will be in the delegation.

Hasina will deliver her speech in Bangla at the UNGA's general debate session on September 23 when she will highlight Bangladesh's successes in economy, education, health and technology.

Also, she will highlight how the world has been pushed into uncertainty due to the Russia-Ukraine war just after the pandemic. Instead of unilateral decisions like sanctions, the world needs to discuss in the multilateral forums. The PM may underline this issue, Momen said.

Asked if Bangladesh will raise the issue of sanctions on Rab before the US authorities, Momen said they may do it as the US has not specified the factors of the sanctions. Dhaka can take appropriate measures if Washington provide details, he added.