World leaders view PM as ‘transformative leader’: Humaiun

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir yesterday (11 November) said world leaders view Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as a “transformative leader” following Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

“Leaders of different countries described the Prime Minister as a transformative leader during courtesy calls and bilateral meetings,” he said, adding that they are taking his democratic mandate seriously as he leads a population of around 180 to 200 million.

Briefing reporters at the Bangladesh Pavilion this evening on the sidelines of the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), the state minister said the Prime Minister’s leadership had drawn strong interest from world leaders he met during the day.

He said the Prime Minister took part in the opening and plenary sessions of the World Leaders’ Summit, held courtesy calls with several world leaders and representatives of international organisations, and held bilateral meetings with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng.

Courtesy calls were held with the presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria and Somalia; the prime ministers of Moldova, Pakistan and Kuwait; the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) secretary-general; the mayor of London; and the president of the Zero Waste Foundation.

The Prime Minister also exchanged greetings with members of the Indonesian delegation, including its head, Hashim Djojohadikusumo, and later held a courtesy meeting with him on the sidelines of the summit.

Describing the meetings as cordial, Humaiun Kobir said the leaders congratulated the Prime Minister on Bangladesh’s democratic transition and his electoral mandate, and expressed interest in strengthening bilateral ties and working together on international issues.

He said the Prime Minister invited the Brazilian President to visit Bangladesh, while the Maldivian President also expressed interest in visiting soon. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa sought Bangladesh’s cooperation in reconstruction, investment, skilled manpower and employment.

Talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif covered regional stability, the situation in the Middle East and issues of mutual interest, while the meeting with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah focused on long-standing friendly ties and stronger investment and economic partnerships.

Bangladesh’s firm stance on Palestine was reiterated in discussions with the OIC secretary-general, with Dhaka reaffirming its continued support for a two-state solution.

On the meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, he said the two leaders discussed launching direct flights, easing visa procedures and expanding bilateral ties. The Uzbek President invited the Prime Minister to visit Uzbekistan, and the Prime Minister assured him that he would visit sometime in the new year.

During the talks with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng, Humaiun Kobir said the two sides discussed strengthening political and economic ties with China, one of Bangladesh’s key development partners. Emphasis was placed on increasing Chinese investment in energy, heavy industry, job creation and infrastructure.

Chinese investment in promising projects, including a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal (FSRU) in the energy sector, also came up, he said.

The possibility of building a regional economic corridor linking Bangladesh, China and Myanmar, as well as China’s cooperation in resolving the Rohingya crisis, were also discussed.

Humaiun Kobir said Bangladesh expects Chinese support in resolving the Rohingya crisis, adding that a sustainable solution requires an integrated international effort alongside bilateral and multilateral initiatives.

Referring to the Prime Minister’s meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday, he said it was highly fruitful. The two leaders discussed political relations, mutual cooperation and international issues, and held positive discussions on Bangladesh’s possible role in establishing peace in the Muslim world.

He said Bangladesh had extensive experience and a significant contribution to UN peacekeeping, and would positively consider, in the national interest, any opportunity to apply its experience to peace efforts in the Muslim world.

The state minister also said the Prime Minister’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, attended a COP31 side event on zero-waste management, where she highlighted the government’s policy initiatives on turning waste into resources and energy, as well as the need for technical cooperation.

Humaiun Kobir said the Prime Minister would present Bangladesh’s position and priorities for tackling the impacts of climate change at the World Leaders’ Summit tomorrow. He is also scheduled to attend several other important programmes and meetings.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary AAM Saleh Shibli and Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu were present at the press conference.