Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday told Parliament that the possible expansion of the Saudi Arabia-Türkiye-Pakistan “Mecca Pact” should not be a cause for concern among other countries or communities, describing it as a mechanism for the self-defence of the global Muslim community and an internal matter among Muslim countries.

“There is no reason for others to have any concern over it,” he said while responding to a supplementary question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana about the possible benefits for Bangladesh if it joins the pact.

Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh’s participation in the arrangement is not currently under consideration, as any such decision would depend primarily on the intentions of the countries already involved in the pact.

“If they express an intention to invite Bangladesh to join this pact, we will certainly have to consider the matter,” he said.

The foreign minister said it would be premature to discuss the potential advantages or disadvantages of Bangladesh joining the arrangement before any invitation is extended.

“We will certainly keep all these matters under consideration,” he said.

He said Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan signed the pact on August 7, 2026, adding that Bangladesh views the initiative of the three countries positively.

However, he stressed that any decision on Bangladesh’s participation would depend on whether the existing members want to invite Bangladesh to join the arrangement.

Dr Khalilur Rahman said that if the pact is expanded, it should be viewed in the context of collective self-defence among Muslim countries.

He described the arrangement as an internal matter of the Muslim community and said there should be no reason for others to be concerned about it.

Responding to another supplementary question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, Dr Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh would use its presidency of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to serve all 193 member states rather than advance the interests of any particular country.

He said the UNGA presidency is a position that represents all members of the world body.

“After winning the election, I had said I would work as the President of all countries,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with the role of the Speaker in Parliament, the Foreign Minister said, “Just as you are the Speaker of all Members of Parliament, I will serve as the President of the General Assembly, which represents all UN member states.”

He stressed that there is very little scope for the UNGA President to work for the interests of a particular country.

“I request all of you to take this into consideration. Bangladesh will proudly discharge this responsibility for everyone,” he said.

Recalling Bangladesh’s campaign for the UNGA presidency, the foreign minister said the achievement was particularly significant given the limited time available for preparations.

He said he had only 10 weeks to campaign after Prime Minister Tarique Rahman nominated him for the position.

“I told the Prime Minister that you have sent me on an impossible mission,” he recalled, quoting the Prime Minister as replying, “You will get it; together we will achieve it.”

The Foreign Minister credited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership and the collective efforts behind the campaign for Bangladesh’s success and expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister.

He said the UNGA presidency ultimately belongs to all 193 member states and Bangladesh would discharge the responsibility in a manner that reflects the interests of the broader international community.