Dr. Zubaida Rahman, the spouse of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, delivered a landmark address at the “Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit” today, cementing Bangladesh’s role in a new international alliance dedicated to child welfare, digital education, and women’s empowerment.
Here is the Statement given by Dr. Rahman
“Ladies and Gentlemen, a very good morning to you all.
It is a great honor to join you all today at the historic ‘Fostering the Future Together’ Global Coalition Summit. I sincerely thank the First Lady for bringing us together from across the world for a cause that touches every nation: the promise and potential of our children.
We recognize that the future of every country is written in the lives of its children. The care we provide today, the education we invest in, and the values we nurture will shape the nation they build tomorrow.
I come here at an important moment for my country under the leadership of my husband Tarique Rahman, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Our recently elected democratic government has taken office with an overwhelming mandate to build a more inclusive and forward-looking nation.
Our government has already launched initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmers Card, providing financial benefits that strengthen households and ensure children grow in secure, nurturing environments. As a medical doctor, I am deeply committed to ensuring accessible, quality healthcare for every child—focusing not only on treatment but on prevention from the earliest stages of life. My work with the Ziaur Rahman Foundation and Surovi has further strengthened my dedication to advancing education, youth development, and community well-being.
We believe that the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence can transform education, especially in a country like Bangladesh where access to trained teachers and resources remains uneven. Our government is equipping both teachers and students with the tools they need to thrive in a digital age. We are providing teachers with tablet computers, updating teaching materials, and implementing a digital curriculum with innovative methods. Classrooms are evolving to include multimedia content, encouraging teamwork, creativity, and moral development.
Technology, particularly EdTech, plays a central role in reducing disparities between urban and rural communities. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring the safe and ethical use of these tools so that children grow in secure and supportive environments.
Bangladesh has a strong legacy in empowering women. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia advanced women’s rights and introduced free education for girls up to 10th grade. Our government is now committed to ensuring free education for women up to postgraduate levels. Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation of the garment industry, creating opportunities for millions of women. These efforts demonstrate that when women are empowered, families are strengthened and children prosper.
We also recognize the importance of partnerships. By working with the private sector and our global partners, we aim to expand safe digital spaces, train teachers, empower parents, and improve the quality of education for all. With strong technological cooperation, we seek to connect every region, protect every child, and personalize the learning journey. Together, we can raise a generation that is resilient, compassionate, and prepared for the future.
In closing, I express my heartfelt gratitude to the Madam First Lady of the United States. By sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and collaborating across borders, we strengthen not only our nations but the future of our children and the world we live in.
Thank you very much.”
The summit marks a significant diplomatic milestone, as it is the first time a U.S. First Lady has hosted representatives from 45 nations at the White House in a single day. Dr. Rahman’s emphasis on the “Farmer Card” and “Family Card” aligns with recent directives from Dhaka to accelerate these smart-governance tools by April 14 (Pohela Boishakh).
Following the State Department working session, Dr. Rahman is scheduled to join a high-level roundtable at the White House to finalize the “Global Framework for Children’s Well-being,” focusing on protecting youth from online dangers while leveraging AI-powered tutoring tools.
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