Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Palestine and several other Muslim-majority countries have expressed complete support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for presidency of 81st session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Assurances came when Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman held bilateral meetings with leaders of key participating delegations on sidelines of Organization of Islamic Cooperation Executive Meeting on Palestine in Jeddah on Friday morning.

Bangladesh government has nominated Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as candidate for UNGA presidency, scheduled for June 2026. Meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar of Pakistan, Vice-Foreign Minister Waleed A Elkhreiji of Saudi Arabia, Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya of Turkey, Foreign Minister Varsen Ohanes Vartan Aghabekian of Palestine, and Foreign Minister Sering Modou Njie of Gambia.

Delegation leaders conveyed heartiest congratulations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Bangladesh Nationalist Party's massive victory and his assumption of responsibility as prime minister. They expressed confidence that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s able leadership, Bangladesh will speedily attain political stability and accelerated development.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Dar warmly recalled his meeting with late former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia last year. He said Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif eagerly looks forward to visiting Bangladesh to personally greet Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Dar expressed hope that relationship between two countries will steadily prosper under new Dhaka government.

Turkish Minister Kulaklikaya recalled historical relationship between Turkey and Bangladesh, hoping ties will expand steadily in multiple sectors. Khalilur Rahman expressed sincere thanks for help and support Turkey provides to Rohingya refugees. Both sides resolved to work together to advance early resolution of Rohingya issue. Rahman handed Kulaklikaya invitation for Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to visit Bangladesh after Ramadan.

Saudi minister expressed hope that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would visit kingdom at convenient time in near future. He extended invitation to Bangladesh foreign minister to visit Riyadh. Minister said Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia offers many opportunities for Bangladesh in wide range of sectors, expressing government's readiness to work with Bangladesh.

Khalilur Rahman pointed out important opportunities exist for Saudi Arabia to invest in Bangladesh. Both sides resolved to work together to realise these potentials. Saudi minister also requested Bangladesh's support to undertake major reforms enhancing OIC Secretariat performance.

During meeting with Palestinian Foreign Minister Aghabekian, Rahman reiterated Bangladesh's unwavering support to Palestinian cause. He stressed that only solution to Palestinian issue is establishment of independent and sovereign Palestinian state with pre-1967 border and East Jerusalem as capital.

Palestinian foreign minister lauded Bangladesh for strong and consistent support to Palestinian cause. Rahman said Palestine might no longer be in case for UNGA presidency, but its cause will be fully upheld if Bangladesh gets elected. Palestinian minister confirmed that Arab-Islamic bloc will support Bangladeshi candidature.

Bangladesh foreign minister offered sincere thanks to Gambia's Foreign Minister Njie for government's continued active support to Rohingya cause, including case brought before International Court of Justice against Myanmar for committing genocide. He said Bangladesh stood ready to support Gambia's important work for Rohingyas.

Both sides agreed to hold event on Rohingya issue during OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Baghdad scheduled for April this year. Minister Njie expressed full support to Bangladesh's UNGA candidature and offered to work with other African countries in support.

Humayun Kabir, adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs, Ambassador Mollah Farhad Hossain, secretary of foreign ministry, and MJH Jabed, permanent representative of Bangladesh to OIC, were present during these meetings.

Source: BSS