United News of Bangladesh

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that “nobody wins in a trade war,” according to his spokesperson on Friday. The statement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday introducing “reciprocal tariffs.” The move includes a 10-percent “minimum baseline tariff” and potentially higher duties on selected trade partners, drawing widespread criticism. Responding to questions about the secretary-general’s stance on the White House’s new tariff policy, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, “In a trade war, nobody wins.” He expressed concern for the world's most vulnerable nations, stating they are “the least equipped to deal with the current situation.” Dujarric also noted that a global trade conflict would “negatively” affect progress toward the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. UK watchdog to probe charity co-founded by Prince Harry In a separate statement released Friday, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) echoed these concerns. It warned that the U.S.-imposed tariffs would hurt vulnerable economies, emphasizing that “the global trade system is entering a critical phase -- threatening growth, investment, and development progress, particularly for the most vulnerable economies,” as major powers move forward with sweeping new trade measures.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday 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 Prof Muhammad 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 told reporters at a joint briefing at a city hotel together with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. Reforms: Guterres holds talks with political leaders, Consensus Building Commission 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. He underscored Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity in responding to the Rohingya crisis. The Secretary-General said as they come together in this sacred month of Ramadan, it is more important than ever to focus on solidarity and shared humanity. In this spirit, he said, they will continue standing with the people of Bangladesh as ‘you navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead’. "I am deeply honoured to share this moment with you. May this Ramadan bring peace, blessings, and renewed hope to all," Guterres said. For years, he said, the people of this nation, especially the communities in Cox’s Bazar, have hosted over a million refugees fleeing violence and persecution. By offering Rohingya refugees sanctuary, Bangladesh has demonstrated solidarity and human dignity, often at significant social, environmental and economic cost, he said. "The world must not take this generosity for granted. I will continue to urge the international community to take greater responsibility and provide the necessary financial and political support for both the refugees and their host communities," Guterres said. In Cox’s Bazar on Friday, he mentioned that they are on the verge of a deep humanitarian crisis. "With the announced cuts in financial assistance, we are facing the dramatic risk of having only 40 per cent in 2025 of the resources available for humanitarian aid in 2024," Guterres said. This would have terrible consequences, starting with the drastic reduction of food rations, he said.   "That would be an unmitigated disaster. People will suffer and people will die. I strongly appeal to the international community to allow us to avoid this tragedy," Guterres said. The United Nations is fully committed to working with Bangladesh and others in finding a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis that enables their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable return to Myanmar, he said. UN chief Guterres opens new "UN House in Bangladesh" Planning is also well underway by UN Member States for a High-Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar. "We know the situation there continues to deteriorate. The escalation of violence and human rights violations across Myanmar, including in Rakhine State, are causing civilian casualties and driving displacement internally and across borders," Guterres said. He called on all parties in Myanmar to exercise maximum restraint, prioritize the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, and prevent further incitement of communal tension and violence – paving the way for democracy to take root. 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 later joined another dialogue with youths and a meeting with members of civil society at the same venue. 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. Secretary-General Guterres met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Friday. The Secretary-General expressed appreciation for the close cooperation between the United Nations and Bangladesh, including its contributions to peacekeeping. UN views Bangladesh's reform issues as internal matter, says BNP The Secretary-General and the Chief Adviser discussed the situation of the Rohingya and Bangladesh’s domestic issues. The Secretary-General expressed his solidarity with Bangladesh’s reform and transition process, according to a readout shared by the UN.

The United Nations considers political reforms in Bangladesh an internal matter, said BNP leaders following a roundtable discussion on reform proposals on Saturday. Speaking to reporters after the discussion, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they told the UN that reforms should be implemented as soon as possible, with a focus on the election. "We have insisted that reforms must be carried out without delay. We were the first party to raise the issue of reforms. It is essential that these reforms, particularly in relation to the upcoming election, are completed promptly," he said. Fakhrul said they also talked about holding the next national election after completing the polls-related reforms. The BNP leader said they said the parliament that will be formed through the election will implement the remaining reforms. "We’ve said it’s a continuous process.” Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The UN has said it’s an internal affair of Bangladesh, and it is for you (politicians) to sit together and determine what reforms will be made." He also mentioned that the UN expressed hope that a strong democratic government would be established in Bangladesh through the upcoming election that should be in line with the will of the people of Bangladesh. Elections to be useless without reforms, Nahid tells dialogue “He (UN Secretary-General) hoped that the upcoming elections will set a precedent in the world,” Salahuddin said. Replying to a question, Fakhrul said they did not discuss any time-frame for completing the reforms, as it is an internal matter of Bangladesh. "We are in talks with the reform commissions... we are in contact with them, and we have provided what they have asked for… So, there can be no questions regarding those matters. Why should we provide a time-frame to the UN Secretary-General?" he observed. The BNP leader also said they participated in the roundtable organised by the UN’s Dhaka office and shared their views on the reforms and the election. Basically, he said the UN Secretary-General was informed about the reform initiative and the commissions established by the government in this regard. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders. Apart from BNP, the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Nagarik Oikya, CPB, AB Party and Ganosanhati Andolon participated in the event. On behalf of BNP, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed joined the meeting. UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, and representatives of different 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.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said they will do everything possible to ensure required funds for the Rohingya to avoid a situation in which people would suffer. "I can promise that we'll do everything to avoid it and I will be talking to all the countries in the world that can support us in order to make sure that funds are made available," he told reporters at Balukhali Rohingya camp (Camp 18). Guterres said they cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingya, and his voice will speak loud to the international community. Ramadan Solidarity: Dr Yunus, Guterres in Cox’s Bazar to join iftar with Rohingyas The UN chief said they urgently need more support because this population badly needs that support to be able to live in dignity here in Bangladesh. Guterres said Rohingyas want to go back to Myanmar. It's essential that the international community does everything to make sure that peace is reestablished in Myanmar, and that the rights of the Rohingyas are respected, he said. Guterres visited UN-run different facilities, including IOM's Rohingya cultural memorial centre in Camp 18, Ukhiya. Earlier, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Guterres arrived here in Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon to attend a number programmes, including a tour to the Rohingya refugee camp. Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam Bir Protik received them upon their arrival at Cox’s Bazar International Airport. Count on UN to help build sustainable, equitable future for all: Guterres tells Dr Yunus The Chief Adviser will join the UN chief at the Rohingya camp before the iftar. The UN chief will share an Iftar with the refugees to be hosted by Dr Yunus. The UN chief and Dr Yunus will meet Rohingya refugees who have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Myanmar. They will also meet the host Bangladeshi communities who have been so generous in hosting them. "Every Ramadan, I spend time with Muslim communities living in difficult circumstances, to observe the fast with them and help shine a spotlight on their plight. This year I’m in Bangladesh to express my solidarity with Rohingya refugees and the Bangladeshi people hosting them," Guterres said on his Ramadan solidarity visit. UN chief speaks with Rohingya children at learning centre Dr Yunus and Guterres are scheduled to return to Dhaka tonight (Friday night). In the morning, the UN chief had a bilateral meeting with Chief Adviser Dr Yunus and discussed the issues of mutual interests, including the Rohingya refugee crisis. The meeting was held at the Chief Adviser's Office in Tejgaon. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Chief Adviser's High Representative Dr Khalilur Rahman also met Guterres at a city hotel, before his meeting with the Chief Adviser. On Saturday in Dhaka, the Secretary-General will meet the youth and representatives from civil society, said an official at the UN office in Dhaka. UN chief Guterres reaches Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar He will also have a joint press conference with the Foreign Adviser Hossain on Saturday afternoon. Guterres is scheduled to leave Bangladesh on Sunday morning.  

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Dhaka on Thursday with a packed schedule for Friday and Saturday, featuring a series of meetings and greater engagements in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp, before his departure on Sunday morning. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain received the UN chief after his arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by an Emirates Airlines flight in the afternoon, said Chief Adviser’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Guterres will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office on Friday morning. Adviser Hossain Touhid Hossain and High Representative on Rohingya issue and priority matters Dr Khalilur Rahman will also meet the UN chief at a city hotel. After these two separate meetings, the UN chief together with the Chief Adviser will travel to Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps. Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam Bir Protik will receive them at Cox’s Bazar International Airport at around 12pm on Friday. At a briefing at the watch tower led by UNRC, RRRC, ISCG Principal Coordinator and IOM-UNHCR Representative, a panoramic view of the camps and Myanmar border will be provided. There will be a briefing by the World Bank; demonstrating the role of IFIs on strengthening infrastructure and human capital investment among refugees. The briefing will highlight disaster mitigation and integrated approaches to service delivery. Sharing their engagements in the Rohingya camp, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said they expect 1 lakh Rohingya people will join iftar with the Chief Adviser and UN chief together. Guterres and Dr Yunus will 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. They are expected to return to Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar around 8:40pm on Friday. On Saturday, the UN chief will visit new UN common premises and see the 50th anniversary photo exhibition. Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin are likely to remain present. Guterres will also join a meeting with the UN Country Team members and UN all staff. He is likely to attend a roundtable discussion on reforms and will have a separate dialogue with the youth on Saturday. The UN Secretary General will also have a meeting with the civil society to be moderated by Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. A joint media briefing by the UN Secretary General and Foreign Adviser Hossain is likely to take place before joining Iftar and an early dinner to be hosted by Chief Adviser Yunus. The UN Secretary General is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday morning wrapping up his second visit to Bangladesh. High Representative Khalilur Rahman will see him off at the airport. Urgent Call for Action As the UN Secretary-General visits Bangladesh, ActionAid Bangladesh on Thursday underlined the urgent need to address the escalating humanitarian crisis faced by Rohingya refugees, particularly women and girls. The decision of the World Food Programme (WFP) to cut food assistance from USD 12.50 to USD 6 per person per month, effective 1 April, 2025, will have catastrophic consequences, it said. According to the WFP, this reduction, driven by severe funding shortfalls, will push over one million refugees below the survival threshold, worsening malnutrition, and health crises. ActionAid Bangladesh called for immediate action. “We urge the international community to provide urgent funding to restore full food rations and ensure gender-responsive aid that prioritizes women and girls. Long-term solutions, including sustainable repatriation and resettlement plans, must also be developed to address the root causes of the crisis.” The INGO said the Rohingya people cannot afford to be forgotten. “As the UN Secretary-General focuses global attention on this crisis, we call for swift and compassionate action to protect the lives and dignity of over one million refugees, particularly women and girls.”

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will arrive in Dhaka on Thursday with a packed schedule for Friday and Saturday, featuring a series of meetings and greater engagements in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp, before his departure on Sunday morning. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will receive the UN chief who is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by an Emirates flight at around 5pm, officials said quoting his tentative programme schedule. Guterres will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office on Friday morning. Adviser Hossain Touhid Hossain and High Representative on Rohingya issue and priority matters Dr Khalilur Rahman will also together meet the UN chief at a city hotel. After these two separate meetings, the UN chief together with the Chief Adviser will travel to Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps. Disaster Management and Relief Adviser Faruk E Azam Bir Protik will receive them at Cox’s Bazar International Airport at around 12pm on Friday. Global focus on Rohingya crisis to return through UN chief’s visit: Govt At a briefing at the watch tower led by UNRC, RRRC, ISCG Principal Coordinator and IOM-UNHCR Representative, a panoramic view of the camps and Myanmar border will be provided. There will be a briefing by the World Bank; demonstrating the role of IFIs on strengthening infrastructure and human capital investment among refugees. The briefing will highlight disaster mitigation and integrated approaches to service delivery. Sharing their engagements in the Rohingya camp, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder said they expect 1 lakh Rohingya people will join iftar with the Chief Adviser and UN chief together. Guterres and Dr Yunus will 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. They are expected to return to Dhaka from Cox’s Bazar around 8:40pm on Friday. UN chief Guterres meets Dr Yunus in Davos On Saturday, the UN chief will visit new UN common premises and see 50th anniversary photo exhibition. Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin are likely to remain present. Guterres will also join a meeting with the UN Country Team members and UN all staff. He is likely to attend a roundtable discussion on reforms and will have a separate dialogue with the youth on Saturday. The UN Secretary General will also have a meeting with the civil society to be moderated by Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan. A joint media briefing by the UN Secretary General and Foreign Adviser Hossain is likely to take place before joining Iftar and early dinner to be hosted by Chief Adviser Yunus. Bangladesh invites UN Secretary General Guterres for 2025 visit The UN Secretary General is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Sunday morning wrapping up his second visit to Bangladesh. High Representative Khalilur Rahman will see him off at the airport.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that the relocation of Gaza residents from the north to the south as ordered by the Israeli military is extremely dangerous. After days of airstrikes, the Israeli military has ordered the Palestinians in Gaza City and its surroundings to move to the south of the territory, said Guterres. "Moving more than 1 million people across a densely populated warzone to a place with no food, water, or accommodation, when the entire territory is under siege, is extremely dangerous - and in some cases, simply not possible." Hospitals in the south of Gaza are already at capacity and will not be able to accept thousands of new patients from the north. The health system is on the brink of collapse. Morgues are overflowing; 11 healthcare staff have been killed while on duty; and there have been 34 attacks on health facilities in the past few days, he said before walking into a Security Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In Israel's call for mass evacuation, Palestinians hear echoes of their original catastrophic exodus The entire territory of Gaza faces a water crisis as infrastructure has been damaged and there is no electricity to power pumps and desalination plants, he added. Guterres said the situation in Gaza has reached a dangerous new low. The horrific terror attacks by Hamas on Israel that killed more than 1,200 people and injured thousands more on Saturday were followed by intense Israeli bombardment of Gaza that has already killed 1,800 people and injured thousands more, he noted. Palestinians flee northern Gaza after Israel orders 1 million to evacuate as ground attack looms Guterres called for immediate humanitarian access throughout Gaza so that fuel, food and water can be provided to people in need. He called for respect for international humanitarian law and human rights law, and for the protection of civilians. He also called for the immediate release of hostages in Gaza. "It is imperative that all parties - and those with influence over them - do everything possible to achieve these steps," said Guterres. The UN chief also warned against hate speech stoked by the conflict - across the Middle East and around the world. Putin calls for ex-Soviet states to expand their influence and comments on Israel-Hamas war "Dehumanizing language that incites violence is never accepted. I call on all leaders to speak out against Antisemitism, anti-Muslim bigotry and hate speech of all kinds. This is a time for the international community to come together around protecting civilians and finding a lasting solution to this unending cycle of death and destruction," he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for redoubling efforts to detect, protect, and support survivors and leave no trafficking victim behind. "Together, let us build a world where no one can ever be bought, sold, or exploited," he said in a message marking World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Human trafficking is a heinous violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms. "It preys on vulnerability and thrives in times of conflict and instability," said the UN chief. Amidst growing inequalities, worsening climate emergencies, and record displacement – more and more people are left vulnerable to traffickers, he said. North Korea calls UN's Guterres 'puppet of US' after launch The majority of detected victims are women and children, many of whom suffer brutal violence, forced labour, and horrific sexual exploitation and abuse. "Yet traffickers continue to operate with impunity. Their crimes are receiving not nearly enough attention. This must change," Guterres said. Guterres to meet Putin, Zelenskyy next week "We must invest much more in detection and protection. We must strengthen law enforcement to bring criminals that commodify human beings to justice. And we must do more to help survivors rebuild their lives," he said. Guterres hopes Bangladesh to continue support to UN peace operations

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for greater action to protect oceans. “The ocean is the foundation of life. It supplies the air we breathe and food we eat. It regulates our climate and weather. The ocean is our planet’s greatest reservoir of biodiversity,” he said in a message to mark World Oceans Day on Thursday. One example of how human activity is damaging the oceans, which make up more than 70% of the Earth's surface, is the fact that over a third of the world's fish stocks are being harvested at levels that are not sustainable. Also read: UN chief implicitly criticizes Cambodia's upcoming elections after top opposition party ban In addition to these advantages, the ocean generates resources that support societies, economic growth, and human health. Fish is the primary source of protein for over a billion people worldwide.“We should be the ocean’s best friend. But right now, humanity is its worst enemy,” he said, pointing to the evidence. The UN chief said human-induced climate change is heating the planet, disrupting weather patterns and ocean currents, and altering marine ecosystems and the species living there. Marine biodiversity is also under attack from overfishing, over-exploitation and ocean acidification, fish stocks are being depleted, and coastal waters have been polluted with chemicals, plastics and human wastes. Also read: Sudan military ruler seeks removal of UN envoy in letter to UN chief, who is 'shocked' by the demand “But this year’s World Oceans Day reminds us that the tides are changing,” he said. Guterres recalled that last December, countries adopted an ambitious global target to conserve and manage 30 per cent of land, and marine and coastal areas, by the end of the decade. The past year also saw a landmark agreement on fisheries subsidies, and the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, where the world agreed to push for more positive action. Negotiations for a global, legally binding treaty to end plastic pollutions are currently underway, and in March, countries agreed the historic High Seas Treaty on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. “Realizing the great promise of these initiatives requires collective commitment,” Guterres said.“This World Oceans Day let’s keep pushing for action. Today and every day, let’s put the ocean first.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said world must speak with one voice — stop lies and disinformation, and stop targeting truth and truth-tellers. "As journalists stand up for truth, the world stands with them," he said in a message marking World Press Freedom Day that falls on May 3. For three decades, on World Press Freedom Day, the international community has celebrated the work of journalists and media workers. "Freedom of the press is the foundation of democracy and justice. It gives all of us the facts we need to shape opinions and speak truth to power. And as this year’s theme reminds us, press freedom represents the very lifeblood of human rights," Guterres said. But in every corner of the world, freedom of the press is under attack, he said. Truth is threatened by disinformation and hate speech seeking to blur the lines between fact and fiction, between science and conspiracy, the UN chief said. Also read: Repeal DSA, demands TIB marking World Press Freedom Day The increased concentration of the media industry into the hands of a few, the financial collapse of scores of independent news organizations, and an increase of national laws and regulations that stifle journalists are further expanding censorship and threatening freedom of expression, he said. Meanwhile, Guterres said, journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and offline as they carry out their vital work. They are routinely harassed, intimidated, detained and imprisoned. At least 67 media workers were killed in 2022 — an unbelievable 50 percent increase over the previous year. Nearly three quarters of women journalists have experienced violence online, and one in four have been threatened physically. Ten years ago, the United Nations established a plan of action on the safety of journalists to protect media workers and end impunity for crimes committed against them. The world must stop the threats and attacks, the UN chief said. "Stop detaining and imprisoning journalists for doing their jobs."