Dhaka, Bangladesh – Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus will depart for UNGA New York tonight to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he is scheduled to deliver Bangladesh’s national statement on Friday, September 26, 2025.
Accompanied by four senior political leaders, the Muhammad Yunus UNGA New York visit aims to highlight the interim government’s reform agenda and seek global support for the Rohingya repatriation, amid heightened focus on the region’s stability. The trip, lasting until Wednesday, October 2, 2025, underscores Bangladesh’s commitment to multilateral diplomacy following the July 2024 uprising.
The Muhammad Yunus UNGA New York journey holds profound implications for South Asia, where Bangladesh’s transition to inclusive governance could inspire democratic movements across the region, while amplifying calls for resolving the protracted Rohingya crisis that strains resources in neighbouring countries like India and Myanmar.
By positioning Bangladesh as a proactive voice in global forums, the visit fosters stronger ties with international partners, potentially unlocking aid and investment to bolster economic recovery in a geopolitically volatile subcontinent.
Departure and Delegation Details
Professor Yunus, the Nobel laureate leading Bangladesh’s interim administration since August 2024, will board a commercial flight from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at approximately 10:00 PM on Sunday, September 21, 2025, arriving in New York on Monday, September 22, 2025. This marks his second UNGA participation in consecutive years, but the first under the current transitional framework.
Joining him in the delegation are four prominent political figures, representing a broad spectrum of Bangladesh’s opposition landscape: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP leader Humayun Kabir, Jamaat-e-Islami Nayeb-e-Ameer Syeed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, and National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Akhter Hossen. Their inclusion signals the interim government’s emphasis on consensus-building ahead of national elections planned for February 2026.
Chief Adviser’s Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad confirmed the itinerary to the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), stating: “The chief adviser will reach New York on September 22 and address the UN General Assembly session on September 26. Professor Yunus is scheduled to return home on October 2.” This aligns with announcements from the Foreign Affairs Adviser’s office, ensuring a compact delegation to prioritise efficiency over previous administrations’ larger entourages.
CA Yunus UNGA Address: Key Themes and Expectations
The centrepiece of the UNGA New York itinerary is the CA Yunus UNGA address on September 26, 2025, during the UNGA’s general debate under the theme “Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development, and human dignity.” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, briefing reporters on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Foreign Service Academy, outlined the speech’s focus: “In his speech, the Chief Adviser is expected to reflect on the government’s activities over the past year and reaffirm the interim administration’s commitment to restoring democracy through reforms and free and fair elections slated for February next year.”
Hossain emphasised that the address will spotlight the aspirations of the July 2024 mass uprising, which ousted the previous government and propelled Yunus to power. It will also underscore Bangladesh’s reform initiatives in governance, judiciary, and electoral systems, positioning the nation as a model for transitional justice in South Asia. Analysts anticipate the CA Yunus UNGA address will draw on Yunus’s global stature as a microfinance pioneer to advocate for sustainable development goals, particularly in poverty alleviation and climate resilience—issues acutely relevant to flood-prone Bangladesh.
Rohingya Conference: A Regional Spotlight
Adding urgency to the Muhammad Yunus UNGA New York trip is the UN’s inaugural High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar, set for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at UN Headquarters. Hossain described this as “especially significant for Bangladesh,” noting: “On September 30, the UN will host for the first time a High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar.” The event aims to review the humanitarian crisis, sustain international attention, and forge a time-bound plan for the voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees hosted in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camps.
Professor Yunus is expected to use the platform to urge Myanmar’s junta and global stakeholders for accountability, while calling for enhanced funding amid donor fatigue. This aligns with Bangladesh’s long-standing advocacy, potentially galvanising South Asian solidarity on refugee burdens.
Bilateral Engagements and Side Events
Beyond the plenary sessions, the Muhammad Yunus UNGA New York schedule includes high-level bilateral meetings with world leaders, details of which are being finalised. Confirmed discussions involve Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Finland’s President, the Netherlands’ Prime Minister, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Myanmar. Yunus will also attend receptions hosted by Guterres and US President Donald Trump, alongside side events such as NRB Connect and Asia Society programmes.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain, who will represent Bangladesh in parallel multilateral forums including the Commonwealth, G77 and China, OIC, BIMSTEC, CICA, and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) meetings, highlighted the trip’s diplomatic yield: “This UNGA session offers Bangladesh a vital opportunity to present to the international community its reform process, democratic transition, and national priorities.” The delegation anticipates interviews with global media, leveraging Yunus’s profile to amplify Bangladesh’s narrative.
Background
Bangladesh’s engagement with the UNGA has evolved significantly since the 2024 political upheaval. Last year’s 79th session saw Yunus’s debut address on September 27, 2024, emphasising human rights and inclusivity. This year’s Muhammad Yunus UNGA New York visit builds on that, amid ongoing reforms under the interim government. The inclusion of diverse political voices in the delegation reflects efforts to foster national unity, contrasting with past sessions criticised for extravagant costs—previous delegations numbered up to 146 members, per Foreign Ministry data.
What’s Next for Bangladesh’s Global Outreach
As Professor Yunus concludes his Muhammad Yunus UNGA New York commitments, the focus will shift to implementing UNGA outcomes, including potential pledges for Rohingya support and reform endorsements. The interim administration eyes these gains to accelerate preparations for the February 2026 polls, ensuring a stable transition that resonates across South Asia.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, September 21st, 2025
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