Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, attended a global summit in Washington, D.C. Photo: BNP's Facebook

DHAKA, March 25, 2026 (BSS) - Dr. Zubaida Rahman, spouse of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has attended a global summit in Washington DC at the invitation of US First Lady Melania Trump. 

Earlier, she reached Washington DC on a two-day official visit (March 24–25, 2026) to attend the “Fostering the Future Together: Global Coalition Summit”, according to post from ruling BNP’s verified facebook page.  

More than forty First Ladies and spouses of world leaders from various countries have participated in this conference, which serves as an important platform for high-level dialogue on improving the welfare and potential of children worldwide.

On Tuesday, the First Lady of the United States officially inaugurated the summit at the U.S. Department of State and delivered the opening remarks.  

At the event, Zubaida Rahman delivered speech emphasizing the importance of caring for children and ensuring they grow up in a safe environment.  

She also highlighted Bangladesh’s initiatives such as the Family Card and Farmer Card programems, as well as progress and development in the education and health sectors. 

She called for strengthening global cooperation to build an inclusive, tolerant, and prosperous future. 

Academician Prof Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan of the Marketing Department of Dhaka University, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s senior physician Dr Shah Muhammad Aman Ullah, and woman entrepreneur Mehnaz Mannan, Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Tareq Md Ariful Islam and Deputy Chief of Mission D. M. Salahuddin Mahmud were also present. 

Alongside the summit, an exhibition featuring 11 leading U.S. technology companies was held, showcasing innovative technologies and applications to enhance children’s education.  

Dr. Zubaida Rahman and her delegation visited the exhibition. She is also scheduled to attend the closing session of the summit hosted by the U.S. First Lady at the White House on Wednesday (March 25, 2026).

During the opening working session, Dr. Zubaida Rahman noted that the future of every nation depends on the care, education, and values given to its children. 

She said it was a great honor to join this historic summit and expressed sincere gratitude to the First Lady for uniting participants around such a meaningful cause—the promise and potential of children.

She emphasized that the future of each country is written in the lives of its children, shaped by the care provided today, investments in education, and the values instilled. 

Dr. Zubaida Rahman stated that she was attending at a significant moment for her country. Under the leadership of her husband, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the newly elected democratic government has come to power with a strong mandate. 

She said the government has already introduced initiatives such as the “Family Card” and “Farmer Card,” programme which strengthen families through financial support and ensure that children grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. 

As a physician, she expressed her deep commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for every child, with an emphasis not only on treatment but also on prevention from the earliest stages of life.

Speaking on inclusive and future-oriented education, she mentioned that her work with the Ziaur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) and Surovi, both social and non-profit organizations, has strengthened her commitment to education, youth development, and public welfare.  

She noted that the responsible use of artificial intelligence can transform education systems, especially in countries like Bangladesh where access to trained teachers and resources remains limited. 

The government is equipping both teachers and students with necessary tools for the digital age, including providing tablet computers to teachers, updating learning materials, and introducing digital curricula and innovative teaching methods, she said. 

Classrooms are evolving to include multimedia content that encourages collaboration, creativity, and value-building, she added. 

She further stated that technology, particularly educational technology (EdTech), plays a central role in reducing disparities between urban and rural populations. At the same time, the government is committed to ensuring the safe and ethical use of these tools so that children can grow up in a secure and supportive environment, said Zubaida Rahman. 

Referring to women’s empowerment, she noted that Bangladesh has a strong tradition in this area. 

Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia advanced women’s rights and introduced free education for girls up to the twelfth grade, she said, adding the current government is committed to ensuring free education for women up to the postgraduate level. 

She also mentioned that Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman laid the foundation of the public sector, creating employment opportunities for millions of women.  

She said these efforts demonstrate that when women are empowered, families become stronger and children thrive.  

She emphasized the importance of partnerships, stating that through collaboration with the private sector and global partners, Bangladesh aims to expand safe digital spaces, train teachers, empower parents, and improve education quality for all.  

With strong technological cooperation, the goal is to connect every region, protect every child, and personalize every learning journey—building a generation that is resilient, compassionate, and ready for the future, she said. 

In conclusion, Zubaida Rahman expressed her sincere gratitude to the First Lady of the United States. 

She said that through sharing knowledge, learning from one another, and collaborating across borders, nations can strengthen not only themselves but also the future of their children—the true inheritors of the world.