Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has returned to Dhaka from Turkey after attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).

A Turkish Airlines flight carrying the Prime Minister, his spouse Dr. Zubaida Rahman, and their entourage landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 5:40 AM on Friday (November 13), according to the Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.

Concluding a three-day official visit to Turkey, the flight departed Istanbul Airport at approximately 8:00 PM local time on Thursday. Earlier, the Prime Minister traveled from Antalya to Istanbul, landing at Istanbul Airport at 6:30 PM.

He had departed Antalya at 4:30 PM, where senior officials of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Subutay Yuksel saw him off at the airport.

At Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP Acting Secretary General and Political Adviser to the Prime Minister Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni, Dhaka North BNP Member Secretary and Member of Parliament SM Jahangir Hossain, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani, and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar.

During the visit, the Prime Minister participated in the 31st UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) and held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders.

Tarique Rahman arrived in Antalya on November 10 for the three-day visit to attend COP31 and the Antalya Leaders' Summit. On Thursday, he addressed the high-level segment of COP31, outlining five urgent measures to meet the needs of climate-vulnerable countries.

On the sidelines of the summit, he held bilateral meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and UK Foreign Secretary Edward Miliband.

The Prime Minister also held courtesy meetings with the Presidents of Brazil, the Maldives, Iran, Syria, and Somalia, as well as the Prime Ministers of Moldova, Pakistan, and Kuwait. Additionally, he met with the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Mayor of London, and representatives of various international organizations.

In his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussions focused on political relations, mutual cooperation, and international issues, including Bangladesh's potential role in establishing peace in the Muslim world. The Prime Minister highlighted Bangladesh's long-standing experience and contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

During talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, he sought Australia's cooperation in expanding investment in Bangladesh and ensuring the safe repatriation of Rohingya refugees sheltered in Bangladesh to their homeland in Myanmar.

In discussions with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, both sides emphasized strengthening political and economic ties, focusing on Chinese investment in energy, heavy industry, infrastructure, and job creation.

While meeting UK Foreign Secretary Edward Miliband, the Prime Minister sought the United Kingdom's support in stepping up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar to ensure the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas. They also discussed Bangladesh's climate adaptation programs, migration, and ways to strengthen bilateral economic relations.

In his meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tarique Rahman discussed launching direct air connectivity, easing visa procedures, and expanding bilateral cooperation. The Uzbek President invited him to visit Uzbekistan, and the Prime Minister expressed hope to undertake the visit in the new year.

World leaders congratulated the Prime Minister on Bangladesh's democratic transition and his electoral mandate, expressing keen interest in strengthening bilateral ties. Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara also sought Bangladesh's cooperation in reconstruction, investment, skilled manpower, and employment.

Regional stability, the Middle East situation, and matters of mutual interest were discussed during a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Meanwhile, talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah centered on deepening long-standing friendly relations alongside investment and economic partnerships.

Overall, these meetings prioritized strengthening bilateral relations, expanding trade and investment, combating climate change, enhancing diplomatic cooperation, and finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

Meanwhile, Dr. Zubaida Rahman attended a side event on zero-waste management, where she highlighted the government's policy initiatives to convert waste into resources and energy, emphasizing the need for technical cooperation in this sector.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Dr. Zubaida Rahman also attended a dinner hosted by President Erdogan and First Lady Emine Erdogan in honor of the world leaders participating in COP31.