Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to depart Dhaka on September 23 to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. His presence at the event is seen as a significant opportunity to present Bangladesh's post-uprising priorities and economic strategies, particularly where international assistance can bolster the nation's economic stability.

The high-level General Debate will kick off on September 24. Yunus is expected to deliver his speech on September 27. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain confirmed the Chief Adviser's itinerary at a media briefing, noting that Yunus will fly commercially and return to Dhaka on September 27.

Hossain emphasized that a substantial political transition has occurred in Bangladesh, and the government aims to clarify the events to prevent any misconceptions. He added that Yunus commands global respect, and his speech will be taken seriously by world leaders.

On the sidelines of the UNGA, Yunus is slated to hold bilateral meetings with key global figures, including the prime ministers of the Netherlands, Pakistan, Nepal, the President of the European Union, the US Secretary of State, the UN Secretary-General, the UN Human Rights chief, the World Bank President, and the USAID Administrator.

Notably absent from his schedule is a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as the timing of their respective arrivals in New York do not align. However, Hossain mentioned that he will engage in talks with India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar.

Bangladesh will host a high-level reception on September 24 to mark 50 years of the country's UN membership. This year’s General Debate theme is “Leaving No One Behind: Acting Together for Peace, Sustainable Development, and Human Dignity.”

Michael Kugelman, an expert on South Asian affairs, remarked that Yunus’ participation in the UNGA is a pivotal moment. It will allow him to share his government’s economic plans and outline how the international community can assist in stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy. Kugelman stressed that Yunus must articulate his vision for governance, democracy restoration, and reforms, particularly as he speaks at the world’s most prominent diplomatic platform.

Kugelman also highlighted the importance of addressing Bangladesh’s most pressing humanitarian crisis—the Rohingya refugee situation. He encouraged Yunus to appeal for increased international assistance, which could be critical given the scale of the challenge.

The 79th session of the UNGA began on September 10, and this year’s assembly includes the inaugural Summit of the Future, scheduled for September 22-23. The summit will focus on addressing gaps in global governance exposed by recent crises, such as geopolitical conflicts, climate change, and technological developments.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called the Summit of the Future a critical step toward making global institutions more effective and relevant to contemporary challenges. He urged member states to show a spirit of compromise and collaboration, emphasizing that the summit’s success could pave the way for substantial reforms, including measures on AI governance and Security Council expansion.

Guterres stressed the urgency of adapting global institutions created in a bygone era to address modern-day crises. “We can’t create a future fit for our grandchildren with systems built for our grandparents,” he warned, underlining the need for immediate action.

As Bangladesh steps onto this global stage, the summit offers a rare opportunity to reshape international collaboration and fortify its role in the global community.