The UN's annual shindig in New York City, perfectly timed to catch the colours of Fall, their Autumn, is always an important event on the global calendar - a chance for the international family of nations to gather under one roof, in spite of any and all differences, and listen to each other - or if we prefer, to walk out on those we consider unworthy.

Quite naturally, as with most large families when they gather for say a vacation or wedding, it is the new representatives who tend to attract the most attention at each year's UNGA. Even more so, when they have been propelled to their present position by extraordinary events - be it a revolution, a mass uprising, or even a coup. If anything, they tend to attract even more attention at each UNGA, both from the world's media and all the national delegations.

And so we may expect the same for the chief adviser to the present interim government of Bangladesh, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, as he heads out for what will be his first appearance at this august forum as the head of his country's government. In the past, as the pioneer of microcredit, or more recently in his role championing social business, the UN and its numerous agencies have hosted the 84-year-old Nobel laureate on countless occasions.

Yet there is no doubt that the lectern at the UNGA is the most exalted platform it has to offer, and with good reason too. Not only does it present an opportunity for him, as the new leader of Bangladesh, to explain to the world the series of events that led to him being elevated to the position he now occupies; it also entails a responsibility - one that he can use to dispel a number or at least some of the misconceptions that have travelled the globe about what has transpired here over the summer. If we are to go by the public speeches and statements he has made since assuming office, we can expect to hear rich tributes to the sacrifices of those martyred in the movement, and an articulation of his own sense of responsibility, as the chosen steward of the dream they died for.

Of course it is widely known that Prof. Yunus has enjoyed celebrity status in the United States for years now. Even last week, an influential Democratic senator, Dick Durbin of Illinois, stood on the floor of the Senate and called on his government to stand firmly by Bangladesh as the Yunus government undertakes a series of vital reforms. In turn his government showed itself to be ahead of the curve, since a high-powered delegation was already on its way here.

Most media outlets fixated on the figure of Donald Lu, the by now familiar assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, who has been a frequent visitor in the last two years, the delegation was officially led by the Treasury Department, which has been very rare for U.S. delegations visiting Bangladesh for many years now.

It signals an emphasis on talks to do with the economy, economic opportunities, or even partnerships. The leading role played by Deputy Under Secretary for International Finance Brent Nieman, was telling. All in all, we can only say the interactions with Washington appear to have started off on the right foot. Let us hope they can continue on this footing.