Zubaida Rahman addresses global summit in Washington at US First Lady’s invitation

Zubaida Rahman addresses global summit in Washington at US First Lady’s invitation
Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, attended a global summit in Washington, DC at the invitation of US First Lady Melania Trump. Photo: BNP Media Cell

Staff reporter

Published: 2026-03-25 16:44:08

Dr Zubaida Rahman, wife of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, attended a global summit in Washington, DC at the invitation of US First Lady Melania Trump.

She joined the two-day “Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit,” held on 24–25 March, alongside more than 40 First Ladies and spouses of world leaders.

The event, hosted at the US Department of State, focused on advancing children’s welfare and development through international cooperation.

During the summit, Zubaida Rahman delivered a speech highlighting the importance of ensuring a safe, nurturing environment for children.

She stressed that the future of every nation depends on how its children are cared for, educated, and guided.

She outlined Bangladesh’s recent initiatives, including the Family Card and Farmer Card programmes, aimed at strengthening families and supporting child development.

She also pointed to progress in education and healthcare, emphasising her commitment as a physician to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for all children, with a focus on prevention as well as treatment.

Zubaida Rahman further highlighted the role of technology in education, noting that digital tools and artificial intelligence can help bridge gaps in access to quality learning, particularly in underserved areas.

She said the government is working to modernise classrooms, equip teachers with digital tools, and introduce innovative teaching methods.

Addressing women’s empowerment, she referred to the contributions of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, while reaffirming the current government’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities for women.

She also emphasised the importance of global partnerships to create safe digital environments, improve education systems and support families.

On the sidelines of the summit, Dr Zubaida Rahman visited an exhibition featuring leading US technology companies showcasing innovations in children’s education. She is also scheduled to attend the closing session at the White House hosted by the US First Lady.

Concluding her remarks, Zubaida Rahman called for stronger international collaboration, saying that shared knowledge and collective efforts are essential to building a better future for children worldwide.