United News of Bangladesh

Nearly 900 Rohingya refugees died or went missing in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2025, making it the deadliest year on record for sea crossings in South and Southeast Asia, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). The agency said more than 6,500 Rohingya attempted the dangerous sea journey during the year, with around one in seven reported dead or missing. This marks the highest death toll recorded on any major maritime route used by refugees and migrants worldwide, it said. UNHCR mentioned that more than half of those attempting the journey in recent years have been women and children, a trend that has continued into 2026. Between January and April 13 this year, more than 2,800 Rohingya have already attempted the crossing. The dangers were highlighted by a recent tragedy in which an overloaded boat departing from Bangladesh sank in rough seas in the Andaman Sea on 26 March. Around 250 people are believed to be missing. Nine survivors were later rescued near the Andaman Islands on 9 April. UNHCR said it is providing medical, psychological and counselling support to survivors and is ready to assist local authorities. Despite the risks of trafficking, exploitation and death at sea, return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely and with dignity. However, ongoing conflict, persecution and lack of citizenship prospects continue to prevent their return. Many Rohingya continue to attempt the journey. The overcrowded and unsafe boats usually depart from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh or Rakhine State in Myanmar, heading towards Indonesia or Malaysia. UNHCR said many Rohingya refugees want to return to Myanmar voluntarily, safely and with dignity. However, ongoing conflict, persecution and lack of citizenship prospects continue to prevent their return. At the same time, a severe funding shortage has reduced humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, while instability in refugee camps and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing some to take dangerous routes. The agency has called on countries in the region to save lives by tackling human trafficking networks, addressing the root causes of displacement, expanding safe and legal migration pathways, and strengthening regional cooperation. More than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees and asylum seekers are currently displaced across the region, including about 1.2 million in Bangladesh. The 2025 Joint Response Plan has so far received only 53 percent of the required funding, highlighting an urgent need for greater international support.

Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humaiun Kobir and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci have discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey in multiple areas. The discussion was held on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye on Saturday, according to a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the discussions, both sides focused on expanding cooperation in trade, investment, development partnership, and engagement in regional and global forums. Bangladesh seeks aerospace partner, eyes win-win cooperation with Turkey They also exchanged views on strengthening long-standing bilateral relations based on mutual respect, shared values, and strategic interests. The Foreign Affairs Adviser highlighted the importance of deepening Bangladesh–Turkey relations and enhancing collaboration in key sectors. Berris Ekinci expressed Turkey’s strong interest in further expanding ties with Bangladesh, particularly in economic cooperation, development support, and people-to-people exchanges. She also hailed Bangladesh’s socio-economic progress. The two sides also discussed important regional and international issues, stressing the need for dialogue, diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. The meeting was held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, reflecting the growing partnership between the two countries, it said. Both sides expressed optimism about future cooperation and agreed to maintain regular high-level engagement.

Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir has said that relying only on traditional aid is no longer enough in today’s changing world. Instead of depending on foreign help, countries should work together to build their own strengths, he said. The adviser presented a newly proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye. Dhaka thanks Islamabad for its 'commendable diplomatic efforts' to bring conflict to negotiated end He delivered his remarks during a plenary session titled ‘Shrinking Aid and Capacity Building’, alongside distinguished speakers from international organizations, including the United Nations (UN), TİKA, and JICA, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. He specifically highlighted three main points: improving people's skills for long-term progress, educating and empowering women so everyone benefits, and sharing of advances in medical technology to provide better healthcare. Kobir called for a transformative approach - ‘aid for capacity building, skills development, and technology transfer’, as a forward-looking framework to address global development challenges in an era of shrinking aid.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has voiced deep concern over the declining level of international donor assistance for the Rohingya population. He urged the global community to scale up funding, ensure stability and security in Rakhine State, and take urgent measures to safeguard human rights. The Foreign Minister made these remarks while speaking as a panelist at a session titled “Global Refugee Protection System in the Face of Displacement Crisis” at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026 in Turkey on Friday. He emphasised that international engagement must go beyond humanitarian aid, calling for a more proactive and constructive role in fostering conditions conducive to the safe, dignified, and voluntary repatriation of the Rohingyas, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. Highlighting the root of the crisis, he noted that a sustainable and lasting solution lies within Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The Foreign Minister said that since assuming office, he has received a positive response from both the Myanmar government and the Arakan Army. Reiterating his stance, the Foreign Minister described the Rohingya crisis as resolvable - provided there is a coordinated global initiative backed by sustained international cooperation. Earlier, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) urgently called on the international community to step up solidarity and sustain funding to support lifesaving assistance for Rohingyas in Bangladesh as well as support for the Bangladeshi host communities. The UN agencies said the promise of better wages abroad, often coupled with misinformation spread by smuggling networks, drives individuals, Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals, to take significant risks. These factors, they said, create conditions in which smugglers and traffickers can exploit vulnerabilities, placing lives at grave risk. Ongoing violence in Rakhine state has faded hopes of safe return in the near future, while shrinking humanitarian assistance, challenging living conditions in refugee camps, and limited access to education and livelihoods are pushing refugees to take such dangerous sea journeys in search of safety and opportunity. The Andaman Sea continues to claim the lives of people undertaking these perilous journeys. As Bangladesh marks its new year, the UN agencies said, this tragedy is a reminder of the efforts urgently needed to address the root causes of displacement in Myanmar and create conditions that would allow Rohingya refugees to return home voluntarily, safely and with dignity. Without collective action, the organisations said, more lives will be lost at sea and on desperate journeys through deadly routes.

Bangladesh and Pakistan have discussed the latest developments in regard to talks to resolve the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday. He thanked Pakistan for its 'commendable diplomatic efforts' to bring the conflict to a negotiated end. The two Ministers also discussed ways to further advance bilateral relations, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday. Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister, Humaiun Kobir, was also present at the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on regional developments including Pakistan’s role in facilitating the dialogue between the United States and Iran. “Pleased to meet Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026," said the Pakistani Foreign Minister after the meeting. He said they discussed strengthening ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan and exchanged views on regional developments, including Pakistan’s hosting of the Islamabad talks. "I look forward to our continued positive and forward-looking engagement," Dar added.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam will represent Bangladesh at Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security, which will be held in Senegal from April 19–22. The State Minister left Dhaka for Dakar, Senegal, on Saturday morning to attend the Forum, said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is expected to return to Bangladesh on April 24.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman has said reviving SAARC is a major foreign policy objective of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He made the remarks while speaking at a ministerial panel held on Saturday at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkiye. The discussion warmly recalled the seminal contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's initiative to establish SAARC. The panel agreed that the South Asian region has immense possibilities for cooperation, and dialogue and diplomacy are the highlights only way to overcome the barriers to cooperation among the countries of the region. Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghan Transport Minister Azizi participated in the panel.  

Bangladesh and Pakistan on Friday exchanged views on regional developments, including Pakistan’s role in facilitating the dialogue between the United States and Iran. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman held a meeting with Senator Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister as well as Foreign Minister of Pakistan, on the sidelines of the 'Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026' in Türkiye. “Pleased to meet Dr Khalilur Rahman, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, on the sidelines of Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2026," said the Pakistani Foreign Minister after the meeting. PM Tarique congratulates Bangladesh team on thrilling win over Pakistan He said they discussed strengthening ties between   Pakistan and Bangladesh, and exchanged views on regional developments, including Pakistan’s hosting of the Islamabad Talks. "I look forward to our continued positive and forward-looking engagement," Dar added. Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir was also present at the meeting, as seen in photographs shared by the Pakistanis. The Bangladesh side has not yet shared anything on the meeting.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan MP on Thursday called for stronger international cooperation, particularly in technology transfer and capacity building, to ensure inclusive development, lasting peace and justice for future generations. “We call for stronger international cooperation particularly in technology transfer, capacity building, and sharing of best practices from around the world,” he said while speaking at the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul. Dr Moyeen Khan, who is leading the Bangladesh Delegation to the IPU Assembly, said no country can achieve these goals alone and stressed the need for global partnerships to expand affordable assistive technologies and effective social protection systems, according to a message received here from Istanbul on Friday. Addressing the session on the theme “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations,” he said Bangladesh remains committed to inclusive social development, describing inclusion as the foundation of peace, stability and justice. “If we are serious about building a better future for the next generation, we must begin by empowering those who are most often left behind,” the BNP leader told the assembly. Highlighting Bangladesh’s democratic journey, he said the country was founded with the goals of democracy and economic welfare of the underprivileged, but its path has not been smooth. “We had repeated setbacks in our long struggle, but each time the resilient people of Bangladesh have risen in favour of democracy, human rights and good governance,” Dr Moyern said. He said inclusion requires systemic transformation, noting that efforts are underway to improve accessibility in education, healthcare and employment sectors. He emphasised the central role of parliament in this process through enacting inclusive laws, ensuring adequate budget allocation and maintaining effective oversight to guarantee accountability. The BNP leader also urged greater collaboration among countries to share best practices and strengthen institutional capacities. “The IPU provides a unique platform not only to exchange ideas but also to commit to practical and measurable actions that can transform the lives of millions,” he said. Looking ahead, he stressed the need to strengthen institutions, expand inclusive infrastructure and invest in human capital. “Inclusion is not charity—it is justice. And justice is the foundation of peace,” he said, adding that a society should be judged by how it empowers its most vulnerable citizens. He also underscored the importance of democratic values, saying democracy is about the rule of the majority with the consent of the minority. Concluding his speech, Dr Moyeen Khan called for peaceful coexistence and global harmony, expressing hope for a world marked by friendship and mutual respect among people.

With ambassadors and heads of mission from regional countries, senior officials of the Government of Nepal, diplomats from resident missions, Nepali business leaders, and members of the Bangladeshi community in Nepal, the Bangladesh Embassy in Kathmandu celebrated Pohela Boishakh on Friday, ushering in the Bengali New Year and year 1433 on the Bengali calendar.  The SAARC Secretary General attended as guest of honour, while representatives from India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Sri Lanka added regional dimension. In welcome remarks, the Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal highlighted Pohela Boishakh as part of Bengali identity, marking renewal through centuries-old rituals including Haal Khata and transcending religious and geographical boundaries. He emphasized regional cultural harmony across South and Southeast Asia, citing Charayapada as shared heritage and early Bengali writings, and noted civilizational linkages between Bangladesh and Nepal, promoting cultural exchange and tourism. Notable progress made in Nepal-Bangladesh relations: Deputy Chief of Mission in Dhaka Guest of honour praised Bangladesh’s cultural heritage and stressed regional cultural exchanges, calling the festival "a celebration of harmony in diversity" event. Cultural performances featured Bangla and Nepali songs by Nepali artist Sabu Lama, local students and Bangladeshi community members. Children’s games and prize distribution held. Venue decorated with festoons and artifacts. Foods including panta ilish and sweets were served. It concluded with dinner highlighting Pohela Boishakh and Nepali Naya Barsha in mid-April reinforcing regional bonds.