BD Urges Action at UN Conference to Resolve Rohingya Crisis

On February 7, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh’s High Representative for the Rohingya issue, met with Guterres to discuss the conference and the urgent need for international action. The UN General Assembly recently agreed, by consensus, to hold this pivotal conference aimed at addressing the Rohingya crisis.

The UN Secretary-General reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to finding a lasting solution, offering his support for mobilizing funding to implement necessary actions, according to Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN.

Dr. Rahman stressed the critical need for urgent international intervention, highlighting how the ongoing crisis continues to jeopardize regional peace and security. He specifically drew attention to the dire humanitarian conditions in Myanmar's Rakhine State, warning that the looming threat of famine could further destabilize the area, exacerbating the conflict.

He reiterated Bangladesh's willingness to support UN-led initiatives in Rakhine aimed at improving humanitarian conditions, restarting livelihoods, and creating the necessary conditions for the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Additionally, Dr. Rahman highlighted the deteriorating funding situation for aid efforts, urging Guterres to use his influence to ensure adequate financial resources are mobilized. He also requested the UN to ensure that aid reaches those in need without obstruction, and that aid providers and recipients be protected from violence, intimidation, and discrimination. Moreover, he called for an end to airstrikes and bombings in the region.

Guterres, recalling his visits to both the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar and Rakhine State, expressed continued concern for the Rohingyas, who are enduring systematic discrimination and severe human rights violations. He commended Bangladesh for its ongoing generosity in hosting nearly 1.2 million Rohingya refugees for the past eight years and recognized the country’s crucial role in supporting UN-led humanitarian efforts in Rakhine.

Dr. Rahman also updated Guterres on Bangladesh's domestic reforms under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus, underscoring the need for a more prominent role for Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping operations. Guterres, recalling his recent meeting with Prof. Yunus at Davos, reiterated his strong support for Bangladesh's reform efforts and assured Dr. Rahman that he would personally ensure higher-level representation of Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping initiatives.

In addition to his meeting with the UN Secretary-General, Dr. Rahman held separate discussions with UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix. Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, was present at the meetings.