United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reaffirmed the UN’s continued support for Bangladesh in tackling the ongoing Rohingya crisis, emphasizing the need for urgent international action.

Guterres made the statement during a meeting with Dr Khalilur Rahman, the high representative of Bangladesh’s chief adviser on Rohingya issues and priority matters, in New York. The meeting focused on the upcoming UN International Conference on Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities of Myanmar, scheduled for 2025. The UN General Assembly has unanimously agreed to host this conference, aiming to address the ongoing crisis and propose sustainable solutions.

During the discussion, Khalilur stressed the need for concrete global measures to achieve a lasting resolution to the crisis, warning that failure to act could further endanger regional peace and security. He urged Guterres to mobilize international support to ensure that the conference leads to meaningful outcomes.
Khalilur also drew attention to the dire humanitarian situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, where worsening conditions and impending famine could further destabilize the conflict-ridden region. He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s willingness to support UN-led initiatives to prevent further deterioration, restore livelihoods, and create favorable conditions for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Rakhine.
Expressing concern over the declining external funding for Rohingya humanitarian assistance, Khalilur called on Guterres to use his influence to secure adequate resources. He also urged the UN to ensure that aid providers and recipients in Rakhine have unhindered access, free from violence, intimidation, and forced displacement. Additionally, he pressed for an end to airstrikes and bombings in the region.
Guterres, recalling his visits to Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar and Rakhine, reiterated his deep concerns about the plight of the Rohingya, who continue to face systemic discrimination and grave human rights violations. He commended Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting nearly 1.2 million refugees for the past eight years and acknowledged its critical role in supporting UN-led humanitarian efforts.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to a durable solution to the crisis, Guterres assured Khalilur of his support in securing necessary funding for humanitarian and repatriation efforts.

Khalilur also briefed Guterres on Bangladesh’s ongoing reform initiatives under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, highlighting the country’s aspirations for a stronger role in UN peacekeeping operations. In response, Guterres recalled his recent meeting with Yunus in Davos and expressed his strong support for Bangladesh’s reform agenda. He assured Khalilur of his personal attention in advocating for greater representation of Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping missions.

The meeting underscored the urgency of international cooperation in addressing the Rohingya crisis and reaffirmed the UN’s unwavering commitment to working with Bangladesh and other global partners to ensure a just and lasting resolution.
 

BOB Post