Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called for an “urgent attention” to the Rohingya crisis, including convening an international conference, to find a sustainable solution to the crisis and ensuring “safe and dignified” return of the Rohingya people to Myanmar. “We cannot ignore the people who continue to be persecuted, uprooted and subjected to gross violations of human rights in the Rakhine State (Myanmar) or Gaza. No person, regardless of their number or identity, is expandable,” he said in a message marking the United Nations Day being observed on October 24. Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.3 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char with the new arrivals of 40,000 Rohingyas recently. United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being. Prof Yunus seeks increased Turkish investment as Dhaka ready for business Prof Yunus called for reforming the UN to make it more inclusive, transparent and responsive to deliver to the aspirations of all people in an evolving global landscape. He said Bangladesh calls for decisive UN action to protect the civilian children, women and men; and dialogue towards securing peace in Gaza and Lebanon and the wider region. “On this Day, Bangladesh renews its commitment to work with the international community to build a more just, peaceful, and equitable world, in our 'shared interests'. Together, we must redeem our pledge to realize dignity and rights for everyone,” said the Nobel laureate who is heading the interim government of Bangladesh. On this United Nations Day, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, he extended their cordial felicitations to all women and men of the United Nations family the world over and reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. For eight decades now, Prof Yunus said, the United Nations has been fostering peace, safeguarding human rights, and promoting sustainable development. Govt committed to identifying , solving children's issues for their healthy growth: Prof Yunus In a time marked by unprecedented challenges-- climate change, conflicts, inequalities -- the delivering on the UN's mandate is more critical than ever. “Emerging issues like responsible use of AI as also ensuring beneficial access to technologies across nations, call for enhanced role of the UN system in ensuring peace, stability and harmony, for all,” he said. Prof Yunus said Bangladesh draws satisfaction over its active partnership with the UN system, particularly as the third largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping operations. “Our commitment to peace, justice, and equality remains rooted in our national ethos, as seen in our people's ongoing quest for justice, most recently demonstrated in the People's Revolution led by our students and youth,” he said. As a people, Prof Yunus said, they remain firmly committed to multilateralism. “Be it sustainable development or trade or addressing the climate crisis, vulnerable countries like Bangladesh and the global South need a rule-based multilateral system,” he added.  

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong is scheduled to pay an official visit to Bangladesh on May 21-22 to strengthen their bilateral relationship with Bangladesh and find ways to boost cooperation for regional peace, prosperity and security. Issues related to promotion of trade and investment, sustainable and renewable energy production, Rohingya crisis, maritime security, technology transfer and free and open Indo-Pacific region are likely to be discussed during her visit, officials said here on Sunday. Penny Wong is likely to have a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina apart from holding a bilateral meeting with her Bangladesh counterpart Hasan Mahmud, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. A small delegation including Deputy Secretary, South and Southeast Asia Group and Head of the Office of Southeast Asia, in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michelle Chan will accompany the Australian foreign minister, he said. The Australian minister is likely to visit the Rohingya camp during her visit to see the situation there. Bangladesh seeks Australia’s support in keeping the Rohingya issue alive globally with a view to the ultimate repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals sheltered in Bangladesh. Australia has a commitment to continue the humanitarian assistance for the Rohingyas and support Bangladesh in their repatriation effort. Wong was born in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Her family moved to Australia in 1976, when she was eight years old, and settled in Adelaide. The forthcoming visit by the Australian foreign minister demonstrates the country's growing interest in Bangladesh, an Australian diplomat told UNB. Earlier this month, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he looks forward to working with PM Hasina to strengthen the bilateral relationship and together contribute to regional peace, prosperity and security. US wants to rebuild trust between Dhaka and Washington leaving behind tension: Lu “As Indian Ocean nations, we share an interest in a region that is grounded in sovereignty, promotes the prosperity and security of our citizens, and addresses the threat of climate change," he said in a letter written to PM Hasina congratulating on her reelection in January. The Australian PM highlighted the importance of their partnership in promoting "peace, prosperity and security" in the Indian Ocean. He affirmed his support for growing bilateral and regional cooperation between Australia and Bangladesh. “We have many common interests in increasing our trade and investment, promoting human rights, cooperating on people smuggling and addressing the Rohingya issue,” Albanese wrote. Bangladesh and Australia have already signed a framework agreement to open newer trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. The Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement (TIFA), the first of this kind between Australia and Bangladesh in the last five decades, is expected to provide a platform for institutionalised economic interactions and open newer opportunities for trade and investment. In May last year, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts visited Bangladesh. During the visit he said Bangladesh and Australia work closely together to promote their shared interests in regional peace and security, and have a growing trade and investment relationship. Lu in Bangladesh: Sets politics aside, tries to reach out to people Welcoming Bangladesh’s Indo-Pacific Outlook, he said Australia seeks a region where “no country dominates, and no countries are dominated,” and the country thinks building a region like that requires efforts by all countries in the region. “We welcome the Bangladesh government’s Indo-Pacific Outlook in that context. I particularly welcome the point in the Indo-Pacific Outlook that argues for an inclusive region,” Watts said while responding to a question from UNB in a group session at that time. Australia recently sent a defence advisor to its High Commission in Dhaka, and, reciprocally, they welcome a defence advisor from Bangladesh in Australia. From Australia's perspective, the defence adviser is a symbol of their "intention and willingness" to cooperate on defence matters. The two countries are scheduled to hold the 5th Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) in Australia next month, said an official. The 4th FOC was held in Dhaka in March last year. The two-way trade now stands at around $4bn, reflecting Bangladesh’s significant economic growth and its highly complementary commercial strengths Donald Lu highlights importance of adaptation; protection of coastal people

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Thursday called upon the international community to urgently find a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis to commence safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation as shortage of humanitarian support may put the entire region at risk. "It is the collective responsibility of the international community to find a durable solution to this crisis in its place of origin in Myanmar. Further delay to commence safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation and shortage of humanitarian support may put the entire region at risk," he said. The president said this at the inauguration ceremony of 18th East Asia Summit at Jakarta Convention Centre in the Indonesian capital. IORA Secretary General pays courtesy call on President Shahabuddin in Jakarta He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina sheltered 1.2 million forcibly displaced people from Myanmar on humanitarian ground. Even in the 7th year of the crisis, there is no solution in sight whereas Bangladesh is pushed to the limits. The president said Bangladesh wishes to enhance its relations with ASEAN and institutionalize it by becoming ASEAN's Sectoral Dialogue Partner. "There are many sectors including trade, investment, trans-national security issues, climate change where ASEAN and Bangladesh can cooperate. If we get ASEAN's Sectoral Dialogue Partner status, there would be mutual benefits in many areas through increased economic cooperation, access to regional markets, strengthened regional integration, exchange of knowledge and best practices, enhanced regional security cooperation; and cultural and people-to-people exchanges," he added. President Shahabuddin joins ASEAN summit opening ceremony in Jakarta President Shahabuddin said this status would open up ample opportunities for both sides and promote Bangladesh's relations with ASEAN. Saying that the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has evolved into an important regional forum on shared values and mutual cooperation, he said it has provided a platform for cooperation in six priority areas and two cross-cutting issues with possibilities for even more. "The region — linked by commerce for centuries — is still at the center of global trade and investment flows. IORA can reap benefits from most of the emerging connectivity options and ASEAN is on top of this list," he added. President Shahabuddin in Indonesia to attend ASEAN Summit, East Asia Summit He said he is elated to see the institutionalization of co-operation between ASEAN and IORA and warmly welcomed the newly signed Mol between them. "I believe it will be an important mechanism to enhance mutually beneficial cooperation," he also said. He mentioned that Bangladesh has made significant contributions in preparing the IORA Outlook on the Indo-Pacific during its Chairship. He also believed that IORA's engagement in the Indo-Pacific region would ensure a fair, equitable and sustainable trade and investment environment that would enhance economic growth and cooperation while building resilient regional and global value chains. The East Asia Summit (EAS) is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011. The first summit was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 14 December 2005.      

Appreciating Japan’s continued assistance in infrastructure development, Bangladesh has sought Japan’s support in resolving the Rohingya crisis considering its good relations with Myanmar.  “On behalf of the people and the government of Bangladesh, we hope that Japan will step up efforts to help resolve the Rohingya crisis,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said while speaking at a programme on Bangladesh-Japan relations as the chief guest. Read: China hopes Bangladesh would make good use of preferential loans, GDI and South-South Cooperation Fund: Ambassador Yao Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori spoke as special guest and FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam spoke as the guest of honour at the discussion held at Japanese Embassy, marking the official launch of the Pan-Asia Research Institute (PARI). Former ambassadors of Bangladesh to Japan Jamil Majid and Ashraf-Ud-Doula; Apex Footwear Ltd Managing Director Syed Nasim Manzur; Dhaka University International Relations Department Chairperson Dr Lailufar Yasmin; Foreign Ministry’s East Asia and Pacific Wing Director Sayem Ahmed; JICA Bangladesh Senior Representative Eiji Yamada; Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka (JCIAD) President Tetsuro Kano; and Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) Secretary General Md Anwar Shahid were present as panelists. At the event, Shahriar Alam mentioned the investment, presence of a growing number of Japanese companies and cooperation in the Matarbari project. Read: Further delay in commencing Rohingya repatriation may put entire region at risk: Bangladesh Govt “We see these brilliant infrastructure projects supported by Japan as solutions to many of the problems the country and its people have been facing,” he said. Earlier, the government of Bangladesh said drastic reduction in humanitarian assistance for the persecuted Rohingya population, which is growing with around 30,000 newborns every year in the camps, is compounding the crisis. Further delay to commence safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation and shortage of humanitarian support may put the entire region at risk, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said. The socio-economic, demographic and environmental cost of sheltering more than 1.2 million Rohingyas for such a long time is pushing Bangladesh to the limit, the ministry said. These forcibly displaced people have aspirations and rights to return to their homeland in a safe and sustainable manner. Read: US to pursue justice for Rohingyas and all people of Myanmar: Blinken The state minister said the achievements of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are absolutely phenomenal and such achievements come with some challenges. “Bangladesh needs to uphold the high aspirations of the people. We have delivered so much and people will be expecting us to do even more to double what we have achieved over the last 50 years,” he said. “It is not going to be easy. Only friends like Japan can help us to achieve that goal,” Shahriar Alam said. He said Bangladesh and Japan will surely work collectively and walk together on the journey for achieving a mutually beneficial future for both countries and their peoples. The state minister said Bangladesh and Japan have presently more than just a G2G (government-to-government) partnership. Read: Rohingya Genocide Case at ICJ: US shares info with The Gambia “It is growing every passing day, and today it includes C2C (country-to-country), P2P (people-to-people) and B2B (business-to-business) ties. Most importantly, P2P partnership is playing a vital role,” he said. From here, the newly-launched think tank PARI can significantly contribute to the improvement of the Japan-Bangladesh relationship, he hoped. “Our country being rich in all the three aspects is considered to be a vast market for Japan,” said the state minister. Bangladesh has been elected one of the four candidate countries of the newly established Official Security Assistance (OSA) to deepen military ties, said the Japanese Ambassador. "This shows how much importance Japan attaches to Bangladesh," he said. Apart from “Official Development Assistance (ODA)” which aims for the economic and social development of developing countries, Japan decided to establish a new cooperation framework “Official Security Assistance (OSA)” for the benefit of armed forces and other related organizations by providing materials and equipment as well as assistance for infrastructures development based on the security needs of the countries. OSA is referred to in the new “National Security Strategy” approved by the Cabinet on 16 December 2022. Ambassador Kiminori said a common dedication to promoting peace and stability in the area and beyond characterises the relationship between Japan and Bangladesh. To do this, both countries place an emphasis on cooperation, making diplomatic efforts and working together to address regional security concerns, he said. The connectivity and overall relationship between Japan and Bangladesh will therefore improve as a result, said the ambassador. According to the Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, PARI and similar research institutions can serve to improve ties between Japan and Bangladesh. On the other hand, new facilities will also improve Bangladesh's connections with Japan, he added. Speakers at the event highlighted people-to-people connectivity as the key factor in materialising Japan-Bangladesh strategic partnership. Trade barriers to foreign direct investment (FDI), investment-friendly business climate, skills development for harnessing the scope for manpower migration, Japan’s assistance in plugging the potential of the blue economy and marine resources should also be in focus, they said. PARI, a Japan-based multi-modal Asia and Pacific-focused think tank, was launched in Bangladesh through the roundtable discussion styled ‘Materialising Japan-Bangladesh Strategic Partnership: Diplomatic, Economic and People-to-People Relations’. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) director (local investment promotion) Md Arifur Rahman, Prof. Mohammed Ansarul Alam of Institute of Modern Languages at Dhaka University, Bangladesh IKEBANA Association president Shahinoor Baby, Kokorozashi Japanese Language School principal Okabayashi Kuniaki, Hiroki Watanabe of Ekmatra, Kazuko Bhuiyan Trust manager Masudur Rahaman, The Financial Express senior news consultant M Aminul Islam and Dhaka University student Fahmida Binte Faruque, among others, also delivered speeches as discussants during four different sessions. Read: Sixth year of genocidal attacks against Rohingya:  A UN expert demands accountability for the violence  PARI president Yuji Ando, PARI vice-president Tareq Rafi Bhuiyan Jun and PARI executive director Dr Abdullah-Al-Mamun moderated the sessions. A host of panelists, including noted Japanologists, academics, bureaucrats, journalists, cultural activists and representatives of youth organisations, also joined the flagship event. PARI carries out multi-stakeholder research and analytical works on a whole gamut of socio-political, economic, business interests and bilateral as well as multilateral diplomatic issues with particular importance to the changing geopolitical reality of the pan-Asia region.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has exchanged views on different bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interests and concerns with the cross-party Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Swedish Parliament Riksdag in Stockholm.  The two sides, on June 16, also exchanged views on Swedish development cooperation support to Bangladesh, bilateral trade and investment cooperation, and Bangladesh’s National Action Plan on the labour sector. Also Read: Sweden keen to collaborate in IT development, green transition They also discussed possible cooperation between the two countries in IT and fintech sectors and green transition, Bangladesh-EU 50 years of partnership, Rohingya crisis, climate change, war in Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The State Minister briefed the Swedish Parliamentary Committee on the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, particularly over the last 14 years, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her ‘Vision 2041’.  Also Read: Dhaka seeks ASEAN’s active role for repatriation of Rohingyas Committee Chairman Aron Emilsson (Sweden Democrats), Deputy Chairman Morgan Johansson (Swedish Social Democratic Party), and members Margareta Cederfelt (Moderate Party), Jacob Risberg (Green Party) and Magnus Berntsson (Christian Democrats) from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Riksdag joined the views exchange meeting while the State Minister was accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden, Mehdi Hasan, and Director General (West Europe & EU) of MOFA Kazi Russel Pervez. Also Read: WTO chief meets PM Hasina, wants Dhaka to reduce subsidies on fisheries  

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha has expressed concern over itsinsufficient funding for the Rohingya case.  Appreciating the support of Member States for the Rohingya case, he assured that OIC will continue to encourage them to contribute funds for the Rohingya case filed by The Gambia in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The OIC Secretary General reiterated OIC’s relentless support in resolving the Rohingya crisis, while visiting the Rohingya Camps in Cox’s Bazar on Monday (May 29, 2023).  Mentioning the Rohingya issue as an important agenda of OIC, the OIC Secretary General highlighted OIC’s firm support to The Gambia led initiative of taking legal recourse for ensuring justice for the forcibly displaced Rohingya people from Myanmar at the ICJ. Read more: UN agencies face funding challenges in feeding Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, official says He said the OIC is also working at the international level for ensuring sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, to Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Recognizing the government and people of Bangladesh’s immense generosity shown to the large number of forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar, the OIC Secretary General underscored that burden-sharing is crucial to solve this long-standing crisis, and appealed to the international community to take more responsibility to ensure favourable conditions for the safe, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar. The OIC Secretary General and his entourage visited Rohingya camps in Kutupalong, Cox’s Bazar.  Read more: Rohingyas to get better future only when they return to Myanmar: Momen The Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) welcomed him in the Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar. During his visit to the Rohingya camps, the OIC Secretary General exchanged views with the representatives from the Rohingya community.  The Rohingya representatives apprised him of their strong desire to return to their ancestral home safely.  The OIC Secretary General took note of their concerns and assured them of OIC’s support to continue to work closely with Bangladesh to end this humanitarian crisis. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing review Rohingya repatriation effort

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today (May 20, 2023) urged countries, who are heavily investing in Myanmar, to come forward for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis for their own interests and to protect their investment. "If this problem is not resolved, you have seen many countries in the Asia Pacific and the Bay of Bengal -- their attractions have increased and made investments, enhancing trade. This investment will be hurt if there are terrorist activities," Momen told reporters after a seminar. Diplomats World, a publication that deals with cultural, legal, regional, global security, politics, and various other issues, hosted the seminar titled "Rohingya Repatriation: A Pathway to Peace, Stability and Harmony in the Bay of Bengal Region" at a Dhaka hotel. Momen said if the Rohingyas who are frustrated succumb to terrorism, major investments by some countries in the whole region would be at risk. Read more: Dhaka seeks global support in pilot Rohingya repatriation project He said peace is required in the region so that investment can sustain. "If there is a commitment, if there is a will, they can do it. It is the commitment that is lacking on the part of our global leadership. There is lip service, unfortunately," said the Foreign Minister. He, however, said he always remains hopeful and mentioned that both the US and China have engaged in senior-level focal point for resolving the Rohingya issue.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has underscored the urgent need for unity and concerted efforts from the international community to resolve the Rohingya crisis, in the true spirit of responsibility and burden sharing.  He urged the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar, Noeleen Heyzer, to enhance her engagements with Myanmar authorities as well as other stakeholders to improve the conditions in Rakhine so that the Rohingyas can return to their homes without delay.  Momen particularly emphasized on addressing root causes of the crisis which lie in Myanmar.  The foreign minister had a bilateral meeting with the special envoy at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York on March 21.  Also Read: UNHCR ‘not involved’ in discussions on Bangladesh-Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya repatriation Referring to the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council on Myanmar, Momen called upon the special envoy to continue taking a multi-pronged approach and remain engaged with all global and regional actors including ASEAN leadership, with a view to fostering lasting peace in Myanmar.  He highlighted the various humanitarian initiatives and skills development programmes undertaken by the government of Bangladesh at the temporary shelter of Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhashan Char, including the introduction of Myanmar curriculum-based education in those camps. Momen urged the special envoy to mobilize adequate funding from the international community to provide for the Rohingyas especially in meeting their most urgent needs, such as food and shelter.  Also Read: PM meets UK’s cross-party delegation, discusses Rohingya “If given opportunities, the Rohingya people can be important members of Myanmar society and contribute to their socio-economic prosperity,” he said.   

High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has assured of the international organisation's continuous humanitarian support to deal with the needs of the Rohingyas in Bangladesh. "This crisis is not forgotten. The EU remains one of the largest humanitarian donors, with €287 million since 2017," he said after his meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam in New Delhi on Friday. Also Read: Food rationing for Rohingyas a 'matter of life and death': UN expert They discussed today's global crises – climate change and vulnerabilities of the LDCs as well as the Rohingya refugees hosted by Bangladesh. "Great to meet Josep Borrell, high representative of foreign affairs of the EU, to talk about the bilateral relationship and world affairs, including the Rohingya crisis," said Shahriar.  

Sympathizing with the diminishing hope and frustration of the Rohingyas as the repatriation to their homeland is prolonged and as the prospect is dim, South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang-keun has stressed that there is no other way but to repatriate the Rohingyas to Myanmar for the ultimate resolution of the crisis. Reaffirming Korea’s continued support for the protection of refugees forcibly relocated to Cox’s Bazar, Ambassador Lee expressed Korea’s interest in strengthening the host community, supporting the vulnerable population in particular women and children and refugees with disability. Since the outbreak of the Rohingya refugee crisis in 2017, the government of the Republic of Korea has been supporting the operations of the UN agencies and other international organizations in Bangladesh for their humanitarian works in the refugee camp and host community including in Bashan Char. The total amount of Korea’s funding so far is over twenty-three million US dollars. UNHCR is the biggest recipient of Korea's funding followed by UNICEF, IOM, WFP, IFRC and UNFPA. In addition to the government funding, JTS Korea, a Korean Buddhist NGO, provided a total of 200,000 gas stoves to the refugee camp in 2019 and 2022 respectively.