Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has arrived in New York, United States, to attend the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The Turkish Airlines flight carrying the Prime Minister and his accompanying delegation landed at John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport on Monday (September 21, 2026) at 6:20 PM local time.
Marking his return to U.S. soil after more than 20 years, a large crowd of party leaders and supporters gathered at terminal 8 of JFK Airport to greet him with banners, placards, and welcoming slogans. Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was received by Ireene Zubaida Khan, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, and Tareq Md. Ariful Islam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States.
Accompanied by his spouse, Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and a 35-member high-level delegation comprising ministers, advisors, and senior officials, the Prime Minister proceeded directly to his hotel adjacent to the United Nations Headquarters.
Following national tradition, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to deliver his address to the UN General Assembly in Bengali on the afternoon of September 24. His visit features an intensive itinerary including bilateral meetings with world leaders, participation in high-level side events, and engagements with international development agencies and financial institutions.
Comprehensive New York Itinerary (September 22–25, 2026)
September 22 (Tuesday):
Attend the welcoming breakfast hosted by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for world leaders, followed by the opening session of the 81st UNGA.
Bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, and Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
Courtesy calls with European Council President António Costa, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, and Meta’s President of Global Affairs Joel Kaplan.
Attend the evening reception hosted by the President of the United States.
September 23 (Wednesday):
Breakfast meeting with representatives of international humanitarian and charitable organizations, followed by keynote addresses at high-level side events on the Rohingya crisis and climate action/just transition.
Bilateral meeting with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković; meeting and agreement signing ceremony with Boeing Global President Dr. Brendan Nelson.
September 24 (Thursday):
Deliver opening remarks at high-level events addressing sea-level rise and preventable maternal/newborn mortality.
Bilateral talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Historic Address: Deliver speech in Bengali to the 81st UN General Assembly at 5:30 PM New York time (allotted time: 15 minutes), followed by an official dinner at the Bangladesh Permanent Mission.
September 25 (Friday):
Investment breakfast meeting with Wall Street delegates at JPMorgan Headquarters.
Bilateral meeting with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah; luncheon with International Peace Institute President Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein; exchange meeting with U.S. BNP leaders.
Depart New York at 11:00 PM (local time) via Emirates Airlines flight via Dubai, returning to Dhaka on September 27.
