Bangladesh will spotlight three major issues at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this week: a long-delayed resolution of the Rohingya crisis, the country's democratic transition through elections, and its broader role in sustaining global peace.

Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus, leading the Bangladeshi delegation, departed for New York early Monday.

"For Dhaka, the General Assembly offers a crucial stage to project its domestic reforms and foreign policy priorities to a global audience," Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain told reporters.

The inclusion of four political leaders - Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Humayun Kabir of the BNP, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher of Jamaat-e-Islami, and Akhter Hossain of the NCP - highlights the interim government's effort to showcase support from major parties for its reform agenda over the past year, analysts said.

According to foreign ministry officials, Bangladesh has ensured that the plight of Rohingya refugees, who fled persecution in Myanmar, remains firmly on the international agenda.

On September 30, the UN will host its first-ever High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar under the presidency of the General Assembly.

The idea for the conference was proposed by Yunus at last year's UNGA and quickly gained momentum, leading to a unanimous resolution among member states.

In preparation, Bangladesh convened a "Partners' Dialogue" in Cox's Bazar last month with international stakeholders and Rohingya representatives.

Earlier this year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited the camps and shared an Iftar meal with refugees in a gesture of solidarity.

These steps underline Dhaka's active diplomacy to prevent the Rohingya issue from being neglected amid newer global crises.

Alongside the Rohingya question, Bangladesh is expected to highlight the roles of youth and women in shaping its democratic transition, officials said.

This year's gathering carries added weight, coinciding with the UN's 80th anniversary.

The official theme, "Better Together: 80 Years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights," calls for renewed commitment to the UN's three foundational pillars - peace, development, and human rights - at a time when multilateralism is under strain, protectionism is rising, and conflicts have multiplied.

On September 25, Yunus will join the high-level meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the World Programme of Action for Youth. He is likely to remind the world that Bangladesh's July 2024 uprising - led largely by young people - ushered in a new era of reform.

Dhaka will also engage in discussions marking the 25th anniversary of the UN's landmark Women, Peace and Security agenda. As one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, Bangladesh is keen to emphasise women's leadership in global security frameworks.

The focal point of Bangladesh's participation will come on September 26, when Yunus addresses the General Debate. He is expected to frame Bangladesh's journey since the uprising: a year of reforms, the promise of free and fair elections, and the effort to build what he calls a "truly democratic state."

His speech will also spotlight Bangladesh's priorities abroad: resolving the Rohingya crisis, contributing to peacekeeping, confronting climate injustice, addressing the vulnerabilities of developing nations in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), tackling illicit financial flows, ensuring safe migration, and promoting equitable technology transfer in the age of artificial intelligence. The ongoing conflict in Palestine and calls for a ceasefire are also expected to feature prominently.

Yunus's week in New York will not be limited to the UN podium. He is scheduled to attend receptions hosted by UN Secretary-General Guterres and US President Donald Trump, along with a series of bilateral meetings, some of which may be added or dropped at the last minute, as is common during the Assembly's frenetic diplomacy.

Bangladesh will also participate in side events, including the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting, the G77 and China ministerial, OIC coordination talks, the Peacebuilding Commission ministerial, and meetings of BIMSTEC and the LDC group.

For Dhaka, this year's Assembly is not only about addressing global crises but also about reshaping perceptions of Bangladesh itself. The government hopes to use the platform to highlight reforms undertaken since 2024 and its commitment to credible polls, while positioning the country as a responsible international actor.

Bangladesh views multilateralism as a crucial tool for safeguarding its national interests. Whether on Rohingya repatriation, climate justice, or democratic reform, Dhaka's message at the 80th UNGA will be clear: its domestic transformation and its global diplomacy are inextricably linked.