UN SG Reaffirms Support for Rohingya Crisis in Bangladesh

Guterres made this assurance during a meeting with Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh's Chief Adviser on Rohingya Affairs, on Friday. They discussed the upcoming UN International Conference on Rohingya Muslims and other Myanmar Minorities, which the UN General Assembly has agreed to host by consensus.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General reflected on his previous visits to the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and Rakhine State, expressing ongoing concern for the Rohingyas, who continue to suffer from systemic discrimination and grave violations of their fundamental rights. He praised Bangladesh for its enduring generosity, noting that the country has hosted nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for over eight years.

Guterres also acknowledged Bangladesh's crucial role in supporting the UN-led humanitarian efforts in Rakhine State, especially during this critical period of need.

Dr. Rahman emphasized the importance of urgent international action to achieve a sustainable resolution to the crisis, which continues to threaten regional peace and security. He urged the Secretary-General to mobilize the international community to ensure that the upcoming conference adopts concrete measures for an early and lasting resolution.

Additionally, Rahman drew attention to the severe humanitarian conditions in Rakhine State, warning of the impending famine that could destabilize the region further. He also highlighted the dire situation surrounding external funding, urging Guterres to leverage his influence to secure sufficient resources. Rahman further called for ensuring that aid workers and recipients have unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance, free from violence, intimidation, discrimination, or displacement, and stressed the importance of halting airstrikes and bombings in the region.

In response, Guterres reaffirmed his strong support for Bangladesh’s ongoing reform efforts under the leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. He expressed his commitment to giving personal attention to ensuring that Bangladesh has a more prominent role in UN peacekeeping operations.

Guterres also recalled his recent meeting with the Chief Adviser in Davos, reaffirming his dedication to supporting Bangladesh’s peacekeeping initiatives.

Dr. Rahman held separate bilateral talks with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, was also present during the meeting.