PM flies to US for UNGA

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina leaves Dhaka for the US tonight to attend the 67th General Assembly of the United Nations, when international disputes and their solutions will dominate the discussions.
Hasina, who is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the UNGA, will arrive in New York on Sunday morning.
The prime minister will address the UNGA on September 27 and also take part in several important sessions on peace and development, expansion of education, climate change, nutrition, disability and rule of law.
The theme for the sixty-seventh session is: “Bringing about adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations by peaceful means”, which is a continuation of previous sessions.
This year's UNGA carries crucial significance as it will take place amid some extraordinary challenges including terrorism, widespread geopolitical instability and the urgent need for sustainable development.
The 193-member UNGA is expected to be participated by heads of state and government from 129 countries.
The “Dhaka Declaration” on a Peace Model proposed by Hasina at the UNGA last year and subsequently adopted, will be presented at the session this year for discussion, following which a resolution might come out, officials said. Once adopted by the UN, it would be used as a global model for peace and sustainable development. The declaration was prepared at an international conference held in Dhaka in August this year.
On the sidelines of the General Assembly, Hasina is likely to hold bilateral meetings with several important heads of state and government including Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, Senegal President Macky Sall, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, several US Congressmen and others.
As per the programme schedule, on September 24, the premier will join a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on “Rule of Law”.
Officials said this would be a unique occasion for all member states, non-governmental organisations and civil society representatives to discuss and agree on a forward-looking agenda on strengthening the rule of law.
In the afternoon, she will attend a dialogue styled “Partnership on the Basis of Equality” and then join the reception party to be hosted by US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in honour of the participating heads of state and government.
On September 25, the prime minister will attend a reception to be hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Hasina is due to chair a high-level meeting on “Peace Building” and attend another high-level meeting on “Climate Change Mitigation” as the chief guest.
Hasina will also attend a programme on “Education First”, a seminar on “autism” and a reception to be hosted by Bangladeshi community in the US.
The premier is due to leave New York for Dhaka on September 30.