Addressing the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman urged the international community to execute firm and decisive measures to resolve the long-standing Rohingya crisis, demanded structural climate justice, and detailed his administration's political and economic framework following the 2024 mass uprising.
Delivering his maiden address to the assembly, Rahman highlighted that Bangladesh continues to host over 1.2 million forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. He emphasized that the immense concentration of refugees has generated severe environmental degradation, economic strain, and security vulnerabilities across local host communities. The prime minister stated unequivocally that the root cause and origin of the crisis reside within Myanmar, asserting that safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation remains the sole viable long-term solution. He warned that any reduction in international humanitarian funding or failure to ensure legal accountability could trigger an escalating regional crisis. Rahman also reaffirmed Bangladesh's support for Palestinian self-determination and called for global security disputes to be mediated exclusively through multilateral diplomacy.
The 3-R Strategy for Democratic and Economic Recovery
Detailing domestic developments, Rahman outlined his government's plan to rebuild Bangladesh's state institutions following more than 15 years of authoritarian rule, describing the transition established after the 2024 student-led uprising and subsequent national elections.
The prime minister paid tribute to citizens killed or injured during democratic protests, framing their sacrifices as foundational to the restoration of human rights and judicial independence. To guide national governance, his administration is implementing a structured "3-R" recovery plan focused on Recovery, Restoration, and Reconstruction. This framework aims to repair state finances, reform regulatory systems, strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, and restore public trust in democratic electoral processes.
Environmental Initiatives and AI Equity Concerns
Turning to ecological vulnerabilities, Rahman observed that Bangladesh remains among the world's most climate-impacted nations despite contributing negligibly to global carbon emissions. He called on developed industrial economies to deliver accessible, grant-based adaptation financing and fulfill international climate pledges.
To bolster domestic environmental resilience, the prime minister announced a five-year initiative to plant 250 million trees, expand utility-scale solar energy capacity, and re-excavate 20,000 kilometers of natural canals to manage seasonal monsoons and combat persistent agricultural droughts. Concluding his remarks on global technological disparities, Rahman urged the United Nations to establish international frameworks ensuring equitable technology transfer, warning world leaders that existing digital divides must not be permitted to widen into structural artificial intelligence divides.
