1.2 million Rohingya pose unsustainable burden for Bangladesh, FM says in Commonwealth

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman warns the Commonwealth that hosting 1.2M Rohingya is unsustainable, calling for global action on safe repatriation to Myanmar

Staff Reporter

Mar 10, 2026, 05:31 AM2 min read

1.2 million Rohingya pose unsustainable burden for Bangladesh, FM says in Commonwealth

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman attends Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Meeting in London / Collected

Bangladesh has called on the international community to take a more active role in ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

Speaking at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting in London on Sunday, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman urged global leaders to intensify efforts to resolve the long-running Rohingya crisis.

The meeting, held at Lancaster House, brought together representatives from the 56 member states of the Commonwealth of Nations to discuss pressing global and regional issues.

During his address, Rahman said Bangladesh continues to carry a heavy humanitarian burden by hosting more than 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who fled persecution in Myanmar. He warned that fresh arrivals are still crossing the border while international humanitarian assistance for the refugee population has gradually declined.

The foreign minister stressed that sustained global engagement is essential to create the conditions necessary for Rohingya people to return safely and with dignity to their homeland in Myanmar.

Rohingya assembly on UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Bangladesh for four days March 13, 2025

According to Dhaka Tribune, Rahman also called on the international community to adopt concrete and effective measures to address wider global challenges, including climate change and growing economic uncertainty.

The Bangladesh delegation at the meeting was led by Rahman and included the Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir along with other senior officials.

Participants at the conference also discussed priorities for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026, scheduled to take place in November, and reviewed concerns about the current global situation, including violations of international rules and norms.

On the sidelines of the conference, Rahman held several bilateral meetings with foreign counterparts. He met with officials including Robert Oliphant of Canada, Alvin Botes, Chet Greene and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to discuss cooperation and regional issues.

During the meetings, Rahman also sought support from partner countries for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the presidency of the United Nations General Assembly.

BOB Post