Photo : BSS
US President Joe Biden has expressed his government’s "full support" to Bangladesh and Prof Muhammad Yunus-led Interim Government of Bangladesh during his rare one-to-one bilateral meeting with the Bangladesh Chief Adviser on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
Chief Adviser Prof Yunus held the meeting with the US President on Tuesday morning (NY Time) which is seen as a "rare occasion" and will help take the existing good relations to a new level between the two countries.
During the meeting, Prof Yunus apprised him about how the students rose against the tyranny of the previous government and gave their lives to create this opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh.
Prof Yunus stressed that his government must succeed in rebuilding the country and would need US cooperation. President Biden said if the students could do so much sacrifice for their country, they too should do more, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing.
Prof Yunus handed a copy of the Art of Triumph, a book on wall paintings drawn by the students and young students during the revolution, to President Biden during the meeting. The meeting with the US President reflects growing relations between the two countries, Bangladesh said.
"This is an important day. It is very rare (to see such a meeting) at the UNGA," Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said.
Alam said Bangladesh in any case maintains very good relations with the US and with this meeting the relationship will reach a new level.
"It's good news that the US stands beside Bangladesh in this period of transition," he added.
Bangladesh and the US are working on several issues closely including labour sector reforms and the Rohingya crisis. It is very significant as no US president has held a bilateral meeting with any Bangladesh head of government in the past decades in New York, a senior official said.
Although that gives them little time to discuss anything in depth, there is tremendous messaging and symbolism associated with it.
By having this meeting at all, Washington is signalling not just bilaterally or regionally, but to the world at large that it is standing by Bangladesh during the period of upheaval it is going through. It is not usual for a US President to hold bilateral meetings during the UNGA and Dhaka hopes to see a new strategic partnership emerge out of this meeting that will strengthen the ties with the US on all fronts. Biden is visiting New York City to participate in the 79th session of the UNGA.
In addition to addressing the General Assembly on September 24, President Biden will meet with world leaders to discuss cooperation in tackling threats to international peace and security, advancing global prosperity, and protecting human rights, said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on President Biden’s trip to New York City.
The US has already affirmed their dedication to fostering inclusive economic growth, institution building, and development to benefit the people of Bangladesh. As Bangladesh looks to chart a more equitable and inclusive future, the US said it stands ready to support those efforts.
This is Prof Yunus's first visit to the United States as a head of government, where he will attend the 79th UNGA. Coincidentally, it is also his first visit abroad since the formation of the interim government on August 8. Earlier, Professor Muhammad Yunus joined a welcome reception hosted by United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The reception ceremony began at 8 am (NY time) at the North Delegate Lounge of the UN headquarters in New York to welcome the global leaders joining the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). At the reception, Prof Yunus exchanged pleasantries with Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Mauritius Prithvirajsingh Roopun and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, among others. Prof Yunus on Monday arrived in New York to attend the 79th session of the UNGA. The high-level debate of the 79th UNGA began on September 24.
Prof Yunus hands over 'The Art of Triumph' to Justin Trudeau. Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus 24 September handed over 'The Art of Triumph', an art book on the wall paintings of the Bangladeshi students painted during and after the student-people revolution, to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He handed over the art book to the Canadian premier at the UN headquarters in New York, according to the CA's press wing. On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meeting, the chief adviser Prof Yunus met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. During the brief meeting, the two leaders discussed ways to cement Bangladesh-Canada relationships, deepen freedom, build institutions, and support the youth of Bangladesh.
Trudeau appreciated Prof Yunus for assuming the responsibility and expressed Canada's readiness to support institution-building in Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser described how the previous regime destroyed the institutions of the country. He appreciated Canada for its friendship with Bangladesh and the Canadian government's support for the interim government. Prof Yunus requested Canada grant more visas to Bangladeshi students.
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