Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr Mohammad Yunus will go to New York to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) next month in New York, sources in Dhaka, New York and Washington said.
This year’s theme is: ‘Better together: 80 years and more for peace, development and human rights.’
Though itinerary of Chief Adviser Dr Mohammad Yunus has not been finalized yet, according to sources, CA is most likely to visit NY during September 22-27, 2025 and meet Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), sources in Dhaka, Islamabad, New Delhi, New York and Washington said
As the national election of Bangladesh is set to be held in February,2026, Dr Mohammad Yunus is also expected to talk with South Asian leaders on regional issues also.
The 80th UNGA officially opens on Sept 9, with the high-level general debate running from Sept 23 to 29 officially opens on Sept 9, with the high-level general debate running from Sept 23 to 29.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam and Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affairs at the office of Chief Adviser Lamiya Morshed, among others, will accompany the Chief Adviser.
According to the provisional list, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak at the morning session of the 80th session of UNGA on September 26, while Pakistan’s leader, along with the heads of Israel, China, and Bangladesh, is scheduled for later that day. Officials in New Delhi have indicated that their prime minister will also participate in the general debate, according to The Dawn, a Pakistan leading English daily.
Observers note that the back-to-back appearances of PM Shehbaz and Modi will underline the gulf in perspectives. While India is expected to stress sovereignty and security, Pakistan will be able to respond directly, emphasising Kashmir and regional peace as core issues.
A senior Pakistani diplomat said, “The world has seen how quickly South Asia can slide toward conflict. Without a just settlement of Kashmir, the UN’s own promise of peace, development, and human rights cannot be fulfilled in our region.”
The 80th UNGA promises to be one of the busiest diplomatic seasons in years, taking place amid the Israel’s war on Gaza, the Ukraine conflict, and the lingering aftereffects of the May India-Pakistan war. For Islamabad, the message is clear: the world cannot ignore South Asia’s flashpoints, and Kashmir remains the key to lasting peace.
According to the provisional schedule, a special event on climate will be held on Sept 24, while a high-level meeting to commemorate and promote the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons will be held on Sept 26.
According to The Dawn, a Pakistan leading English daily, for the first time since their four-day flare-up in May that brought South Asia to the brink of nuclear confrontation, the prime ministers of India and Pakistan will appear on the same day at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on Sept 26, according to the Dawn, a leading Pakistan daily.
However, sources earlier told The Indian Express that PM Modi’s visit has not yet been finalised.
