Peace, stability key to sustainable dev: Prof Yunus

Noting global efforts that continue, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday said global leaders must come together to ensure the safe, sustainable and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya people to their homes in Myanmar.

"The protracted crisis in Myanmar continues to threaten regional stability," he said while speaking at the opening session of the Earthna Summit.

For years, Prof Yunus said, Bangladesh has hosted over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, bearing significant social, economic and environmental costs.

The UN Secretary-General recently visited the camps in a gesture of solidarity.

In today’s crisis prone world, the Chief Adviser said, wars and conflicts erode rights and disrupt economies.  "Peace and stability are fundamental prerequisites for any meaningful and sustainable development," he said.

Prof Yunus said the world must not ignore the humanitarian crises that affect people from Palestine to the Rohingyas in Bangladesh.

Impunity and blatant disregard for human rights are threats to development anywhere in the world, he said.

The ongoing suffering in Palestine concerns not just a region but all of humanity. Palestinians are not expendable, Prof Yunus said.

The second edition of the Earthna Summit under the theme “Building our Legacy: Sustainability, Innovation and Traditional Knowledge” is highlighting Qatar’s commitment to advancing sustainability in hot and arid environments, by drawing on its rich cultural heritage and unique ecosystems.

The Summit serves as a platform for exploring how both traditional knowledge and innovation approaches can inform modern sustainability, shaping a more resilient and inclusive future.

The Earthna Summit 2025 is exploring a wide range of topics through presentations, interactive panel discussions, workshops and roundtables.

Besides, the Earthna Village in Barahat Msheireb is hosting a series of inspiring talks and discussions led by various experts and innovators to foster dialogue and inspiration.