United News of Bangladesh

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said societies are "stronger and more resilient" in Bangladesh and around the world when everyone can play a "meaningful role" in political, economic and social life. The UN chief thanked the representatives of civil society for sharing their views with him. Guterres commended the youth of Bangladesh for their leadership and commitment to shaping  the future of their country. "Their dedication to equality, justice and peace is inspiring, and contributes to the global call by the youth for action towards social, economic and climate justice," said the UN Secretary-General. Guterres will leave Dhaka at 9:55 am on Sunday, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. High Representative to the Chief Adviser for Rohingya crisis and matters of priority Khalilur Rahman is scheduled to see him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Guterres joined a roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders. UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and representatives of other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinental. Guterres also joined another dialogue with youths and had a meeting with members of civil society. Necessary dialogue must take place with Arakan Army: Guterres Earlier in the morning, UN Secretary-General Guterres officially opened a new "UN House in Bangladesh" in the city. Industries, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present. The UN chief visited the new UN Common Premises to view the 50th anniversary photo exhibition and joined the official UN flag-raising. The visit followed a meeting with UN Country Team Bangladesh. Guterres and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain joined a joint press briefing before joining Iftar and early dinner hosted by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. At the media briefing, Guterres recognised people’s hopes for a future of greater democracy, justice and prosperity in Bangladesh as the country undergoes a 'significant transition' under the leadeship of Chief Adviser Dr Yunus. "This is a pivotal moment for Bangladesh and the international community must play its part in supporting your efforts toward a just, inclusive and prosperous future," he said. As the country undergoes important reforms and transitions, Guterres assured that the UN stands ready to assist in fostering peace, national dialogue, trust and healing. "You can count on the UN to be your steadfast partner, working alongside the people of Bangladesh to help build a sustainable and equitable future for all," said the UN chief.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, together with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, is scheduled to visit the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on March 14 as the UN chief is set to embark on Bangladesh visit as part of his annual Ramadan solidarity tour. Guterres will also take part in an Iftar meal with refugees and members of the Bangladeshi host community, recognising the generosity of Bangladesh in sheltering nearly one million Rohingya who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar. The Chief Adviser will leave Dhaka for Cox’s Bazar in the morning (March 14) and return to Dhaka in the evening (same day), Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. As part of his annual Ramadan solidarity visit, Guterres will be here in Dhaka from March 13 to 16, where he will meet Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, one of the world’s largest refugee settlements, his Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said. During his visit, he will also visit the capital, Dhaka, where he will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammed Yunus, as well as young representatives from civil society. The Secretary-General has made solidarity visits an annual tradition, beginning during his decade-long tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, when he regularly observed Ramadan alongside displaced and marginalised communities. “Every Ramadan, I undertake a solidarity visit and fast with a Muslim community around the globe. These missions remind the world of the true face of Islam,” Guterres said in his message. “Ramadan embodies the values of compassion, empathy and generosity. It is an opportunity to reconnect with family and community…And I always come away even more inspired by the remarkable sense of peace that fills this season,” he added. Dr Yunus calls for quick action to recover billions in stolen money UN chief Guterres, in a recent letter to Dr Yunus, expressed his hope that the high-level conference on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar will renew global focus and help develop broader solutions for their plight. The United Nations will continue to mobilise the international community to support Bangladesh as a host to the Rohingya, Guterres said. “I will continue to exercise my good offices, including through my Special Envoy on the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to work closely with regional actors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and other stakeholders, towards a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar, including creating conditions conducive to the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Rakhine,” he wrote. The UN chief has requested his senior managers to provide guidance to the United Nations Country Teams in Bangladesh and Myanmar on how they can maximize humanitarian aid and livelihood support to communities in Rakhine. The United Nations will prioritise engagement on this issue, including through the Emergency Relief Coordinator and the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, in Myanmar, to enable safe, rapid, sustained and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar.” “We await the agreed outcomes and plans for the conference, following Member State consultations, to understand how the United Nations system can best support the process.” He thanked Dr Yunus for his letter, dated 4 February 2025, which was shared with him by High Representative for the Rohingya Crisis and Priority Affairs Khalilur Rahman during their meeting on 7 February. The UN chief also reiterated the strong solidarity of the United Nations with Bangladesh and their support for the transition process under Dr Yunus’ leadership. He said he shared Bangladesh’s concerns regarding the impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the region, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Rakhine.