Dhaka, Feb 26 – United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to visit Dhaka from March 13 to 16, reaffirming the UN's commitment to mobilizing global support for Bangladesh as it continues to host forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
The confirmation of his visit came through the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), the state-run news agency, which cited an official communication from Guterres’ office. His visit follows an invitation extended by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
UN's Commitment to Addressing Rohingya Crisis
A statement from Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the UN highlighted that Khalilur Rahman, the High Representative of the Chief Adviser on the Rohingya Issue, personally delivered the invitation during a meeting with Guterres on February 7 in New York.In a February 25 letter addressed to Yunus, Guterres acknowledged Bangladesh’s concerns over the ongoing Rohingya crisis and its broader impact on the region. He also pointed out the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Rakhine, Myanmar, where the Rohingya originate.
“I will continue to exercise my good offices, including through my Special Envoy on Myanmar, to work closely with regional actors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other stakeholders to find a political solution to the crisis. Our goal is to create conditions that enable the safe and voluntary return of Rohingya refugees to Rakhine,” Guterres stated in the letter.
The UN Secretary-General also instructed his senior managers to guide UN Country Teams in Bangladesh and Myanmar to maximize humanitarian aid and livelihood support for affected communities in Rakhine.
High-Level Conference to Focus on Rohingya Crisis
Guterres expressed optimism that the upcoming High-Level Conference on Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar would serve as a platform to renew global attention and explore broader solutions for the crisis.“We await the agreed outcomes and plans for the Conference, following Member State consultations, to determine how the UN system can best support this process,” he added.
UN Solidarity with Bangladesh
Reaffirming the UN’s strong solidarity with Bangladesh, Guterres assured full support for the country's transition process under Yunus’ leadership.According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), approximately one million Rohingya refugees are currently residing in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp. The stateless ethnic minority fled Myanmar, particularly after the 2017 crisis, escaping widespread violence, persecution, and human rights abuses.
Guterres’ visit is expected to bring renewed international focus on the Rohingya crisis and further efforts toward a sustainable solution for both the refugees and the region.