United News of Bangladesh

US Special Envoy for Best Future Generations Charles Harder has said the United States will continue to support the people of Myanmar, including Rohingya and other minorities, and urged other donors to join them in this effort. "Increased contributions are vital to ensure dignity, safety, and hope for vulnerable populations. This is fundamentally not a responsibility of the U.S., and we will not be the primary provider of assistance while others sit by," said the Special Envoy. Harder, while speaking at high-level conference on the 'Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar' held at the UN General Assembly on September 30, said this is not a burden the United States will bear indefinitely; it is long past time for other governments and actors in the region to develop sustainable solutions for Rohingya. All nations, organisations, and private donors must step forward and share the burden by increasing their contributions, said the Special Envoy. The scale and complexity of this crisis make it clear that no single country or entity can do it alone. To underscore the US commitment in saving lives and providing critical assistance where needed, Harder announced the intent to provide more than $60 million in assistance for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. "With this, we expect meaningful policy changes by Bangladesh to allow livelihood opportunities and by aid organisations to increase cost efficiency," Harder said. The United States expressed its support for Rohingya and other Myanmar minorities who have been victims of repression and violence. "Survivors of that persecution are here with us today. I commend their bravery in speaking out," Harder said. The US thanked the government of Bangladesh, as they have shown generosity and compassion in hosting Rohingya refugees, many of whom fled a campaign of genocide and crimes against humanity perpetrated by Myanmar’s military. Rohingya Conf: US, UK announce fresh aid commitment of $96mn "We also thank Thailand for its steadfast partnership, including its recent decision to grant Myanmar refugees permission to work," Harder said. Unfortunately, the Special Envoy said, Myanmar’s military regime continues to escape accountability for their atrocities. "They continue to oppress minorities, bomb civilians, and use child soldiers." Harder said they are deeply concerned about reports of ongoing atrocities and forced displacement, particularly in Rakhine State. The US called on all armed actors, including the military regime and the Arakha Army, to protect civilians, allow humanitarian access, and adhere to international humanitarian law. Despite ASEAN and UN efforts to create conditions for dialogue, violence and instability have only worsened, Harder said. The regime is moving ahead with an election plan that excludes the most popular and representative political parties. "This plan will not address the legitimate aspirations of Myanmar’s ethnic groups. We reject these elections under current conditions," Harder said. "Our goal is a future in which all people of Myanmar can live in safety, dignity, and peace. Our focus now should be on a ceasefire, a genuine dialogue, which is critical to shape the country’s future," said the US Special Envoy. Meanwhile, the United States has committed to taking international efforts to provide humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees. "We must review assistance to eliminate overlap, inefficiencies, and redundancies. We must maximise local solutions and minimise expensive overhead costs," Harder said. Rohingya Conference: Prospects for funding JRP next year grim, says Filippo Grandi Burden-sharing and increasing efficiency are strategic necessities, said the US Special Envoy. "By working together, the international community can strengthen collective efforts to address the root causes of displacement, support durable solutions, and prevent further instability in the region," Harder said.

The United States and the United Kingdom announced fresh aid commitment of 96 million dollars in the first ever high-level conference on the Rohingya and other Myanmar minorities at the UN headquarters on Tuesday, said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. The US announced a new donation of 60 million dollars and the UK 36 million dollars, he told UNB. “Houses burned. Neighbours killed. Hope vanishing.” With those stark words, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock opened the high-level UN conference, as alarm rises over the impact of Myanmar’s deepening crisis which threatens to destabilise the wider region. Assembly President Baerbock underscored the scale of suffering. “Over five million Rohingya men, women and children share some version of this story,” she said, noting that 800,000 children remain out of school in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar camp alone. Humanitarian funding is critically short, with the 2025 response plan just 12 per cent funded. “This should put us to shame,” she declared, urging states to boost aid and pursue a political solution that would enable safe, voluntary and sustainable return. At the heart of the emergency are the Rohingya Muslims, denied Burmese citizenship, driven from their homes and forced into camps or exile, according to the UN news. More than a million now live as refugees in Bangladesh, while countless more remain displaced or trapped – alongside other minorities – inside Myanmar under conditions UN leaders described as “dire” and “unsustainable.” The conference at UN Headquarters in New York, brought together top UN officials, heads of state and governments, to galvanise action alongside Rohingya activists. Briefings and reports laid bare the daily realities since the February 2021 military coup: forced recruitment, sexual violence, airstrikes, starvation and mass displacement. Devise roadmap for Rohingya repatriation, act together to stabilise Rakhine: Prof Yunus Humanitarian agencies warn that resources are running out, leaving refugees malnourished and pushing more people into taking dangerous sea journeys. Conditions inside Myanmar’s Rakhine state – ancestral home of the Rohingya – are described as the worst in decades, with civilians caught between junta forces and ethnic armed groups. ‘Human Rights Trampled’ The Secretary-General, in a statement read by his Chef de Cabinet Courtenay Rattray, said the crisis has “trampled on the human rights, dignity and safety of millions and threatens regional stability.” He urged three immediate steps: protecting civilians in line with international law, guaranteeing humanitarian access, and reinvigorating investment to ease the strain on refugees and host communities. “The solution to this crisis lies ultimately in Myanmar,” the message stressed, calling for an end to persecution and recognition that “the Rohingya belong – as full citizens.” Humanitarian funding is critically short, with the 2025 response plan just 12 per cent funded. “This should put us to shame,” she declared, urging states to boost aid and pursue a political solution that would enable safe, voluntary and sustainable return. Demand for Accountability For Rohingya activists, the conference was not another moment of awareness but a demand for justice. Wai Wai Nu, founder of the Myanmar Women’s Peace Network, told delegates that the atrocities did not end in 2017, when over 750,000 Rohingya men, women and children fled violence described as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing” by then UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. Rohingya Conference: Prospects for funding JRP next year grim, says Filippo Grandi “It has worsened,” she said, pointing to killings, forced conscription, sexual violence and starvation inflicted by both the Myanmar military and ethnic armed groups fighting the junta. “Without action, the Rohingya exodus will continue until there is no more Rohingya left in Myanmar,” she warned, urging cross-border humanitarian corridors, targeted sanctions and prosecutions for atrocity crimes. ‘A test for humanity’ Rofik Husson, founder of the Arakan Youth Peace Network, offered his own testimony of displacement and violence, recalling how the junta forced Rohingya men and boys into service, often as human shields. In one week alone, he said, at least 400 were killed. He described village burnings and drone strikes, including a May 2024 massacre that displaced 200,000 people in a single day. “Ending the crisis of insecurity for the Rohingya community is a test for this Assembly and a test for humanity itself,” he told delegates, calling for an internationally supervised safe zone in northern Rakhine. No Agreed Pathway to Peace Adding a wider lens, Special Envoy Julie Bishop stressed that Myanmar’s multifaceted crisis is inseparable from the political turmoil unleashed by the 2021 coup. With no ceasefire in place and armed conflict spreading, she warned that planned elections later this year would fuel further violence rather than deliver legitimacy. “There is no agreed pathway to peace,” she said, cautioning that international condemnation of the junta has ebbed even as abuses persist. A Fragile Hope Despite the grim accounts, speakers emphasised that solutions remain possible if political will can be summoned. US pledges support for Myanmar, Rohingya Baerbock closed her remarks by noting, “The Rohingya people have survived eight years of hardship, displacement and uncertainty. Their resilience is extraordinary. Our response must match it.” For Rohingya activists, the message was equally clear: declarations are no longer enough. “Justice is not optional…It is the only deterrent, the only path to peace,” Nu said.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has said they will continue to work with Member States, regional bodies, civil society, and refugee-led organizations to raise resources and advance protection, resilience, and solutions for all displaced people within and from Myanmar. "We have no other choice if we want to chart a new course for the people of Myanmar — one that is principled, pragmatic, and forward-looking and if we want to bring a lasting solution to the plight of the Rohingya people," he said, stressing that the UNHCR stands ready to support. Grandi made the remarks while delivering his statement at the high-level conference on "Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar" held at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, Special Envoy Julie Bishop, global stakeholders and the Rohingya representatives also spoke. "The prospects for funding next year are grim. Unless further resources are forthcoming, despite the needs, we will be forced to make more cuts, while striving to minimize the risk of losing lives: children dying of malnutrition, or people dying at sea as more refugees embark on dangerous boat journeys," he said. "We must do more, please. I call on all of you. And in addition to funding, it is critical to offer solutions, in line with the pledges made at the last Global Refugee Forum. Solutions such as resettlement as well as other pathways to hope, through education or labour mobility," Grandi added. He said no assistance is too small, especially when the alternative leads to more instability in the region and to more costly measures further down the line. "The most important however is not to forget that this crisis originates in Myanmar. And that, Madam President, is where the solution lies," he said. Grandi recently visited Myanmar and saw how a country already dealing with a devastating humanitarian crisis was still reeling from the aftermath of the recent earthquake. Julie Bishop spoke about the political challenges. "As in other crises and given the way conflicts are conducted by parties across the country — too often disregarding the rules of war — civilians, as we heard this morning, are killed, wounded, and deprived of the basics," Grandi said. More than 5 million are displaced, of whom more than 1.5 million have taken refuge in neighbouring countries. In his own discussions with the de facto authorities in Naypyidaw, he has reiterated the requests of humanitarian agencies on the ground — they need safe and unhindered access to people impacted by the fighting. "I have received some assurances, but these urgent and vital asks must be continuously conveyed by all those who can do so," he said. Grandi focused in particular on the situation of the Rohingya population which his organization, UNHCR, has worked with for many, many years. Their plight is somehow unique — not only do they continue to be discriminated, deprived of rights and abused, a situation they have endured for decades, but they are also caught in one of several ethnic conflicts affecting the country — except it is not their own: the one pitching the Arakan Army in Rakhine State against the de facto authorities. The Rohingya people have faced challenges for a long time - not just in the past eight years -but eight years ago, were confronted with unspeakable violence at the hands of Myanmar’s military, 750 thousand fled to Bangladesh. Others became or remained displaced in Rakhine State. With the advances of the Arakan Army, which now controls almost all the state, their situation has not improved. Discrimination, the burning of their villages, the exclusion from work and services, the continuous denial of their very identity. "The Rohingyas live with the threat of arbitrary arrest and detention, with restricted access to healthcare and education. They cannot move freely. They are subjected to forced labour and forced recruitment. Their lives are defined everyday by racism and fear," Grandi said. He reiterated his gratitude to countries in the region that for years have hosted refugees from Myanmar, and especially Rohingya refugees, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. "In particular, I wish to pay tribute to the people and the leadership of Bangladesh — the Chief Adviser, Prof Yunus, is here — for hosting close to 1.2 million Rohingya refugees," Grandi said. Since the fighting re-ignited in Rakhine in 2024, another 150,000 individuals arrived in Bangladesh seeking safety. And yet — despite enormous challenges — Bangladesh continues to host them, setting an example to the rest of the world. "Showing us that compassion is still possible at a time when indifference and inaction are, sadly, fast, fast becoming the norm. Showing that giving asylum to refugees saves lives," Grandi said. He appreciated that hosting such a large refugee population however is a burden. Devise roadmap for Rohingya repatriation, act together to stabilise Rakhine: Prof Yunus "Therefore let me praise countries which are taking positive steps to enact policies that allow refugees to build self-reliance. International financial institutions — the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in particular -– have also played a critical role, providing over $1.25 billion to invest in programmes aiming to strengthen both refugee and host community resilience," he said. "The private sector too is playing its part. And we hope that much more can be done, especially in the critical sectors of education, skills development and livelihoods," Grandi said. But host countries, as has been repeated many times this morning, cannot shoulder that responsibility alone. The humanitarian response in Bangladesh remains chronically underfunded including in key areas like food and cooking fuel. Geandi said the recommendations of the Rakhine Advisory Commission remain as relevant as ever and must inform their engagement towards the voluntary, safe and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to their homes - as is their right - and with the full involvement, by the way, of refugees themselves. "But without taking bolder actions, the situation is unlikely to change. And these are issues that humanitarians cannot resolve alone," he said. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, visiting political leaders- National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhter Hossen and first senior joint member secretary of National Citizen Party Dr Tasnim Jara Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Mr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman were, among others present at the high-level conference held at the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters.

Emphasising that a lasting solution must come from within Myanmar, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday laid out a seven-point proposal for the international community, urging the development of a practical roadmap to ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya and the stabilisation of Rakhine State. "Initiatives to end the crisis are lacking. International funding faces alarming shortfalls. The Rohingya crisis originated in Myanmar; its solution lies there," he said, adding that eight years since the genocide began, the plight of the Rohingya continues. As funding declines, Prof Yunus said, the only peaceful option is to begin their repatriation. "This will entail far fewer resources than continuing their international protection," he said, adding that the Rohingyas have consistently pronounced their desire to go back home. The Chief Adviser made the remarks while speaking at the opening session of the high-level conference on the ‘Situation of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar’ held on the sidelines of 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UNHQs. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury, visiting political leaders- National Citizen Party (NCP) member secretary Akhter Hossen and first senior joint member secretary of National Citizen Party Dr Tasnim Jara Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), Mr. Mohammed Mizanur Rahman were, among others present at the high-level conference held at the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters.

The High Court (HC) on Tuesday barred 15 clubs from participating in the upcoming Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) elections scheduled for October 6, after scrutiny by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) raised concerns over their eligibility. An HC bench comprising Justice Khizir Ahmed Chowdhury and Justice Syed Hasan Zubayer passed the order after hearing a petition filed by former BCB President Faruque Ahmed. Following the order, the councillors of these 15 clubs will not be allowed to contest the BCB board polls. Among the excluded clubs are the ones associated with former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal. Tamim has been active in the election as a councillor of Old DOHS Club and as vice-president of Gulshan Cricket Club. Tamim, Sports Adviser trade explosive claims as BCB election battle heats up Initially, there had been controversy over the councillor posts of these clubs. Their names were omitted from the draft voter list but later reinstated after complaints from club authorities. Even after nominations and scrutiny were completed, the HC order has now prevented their participation. The clubs affected include Gulshan Cricket Club, Old DOHS Club, Exum Cricketers, Dhaka Cricket Academy, Mohammad Cricket Club, Nawabganj Cricket Coaching Academy, Purba Chawl Sporting Club, Old Dhaka Cricketers, Vikings Cricket Academy, Banani Cricket Club, Nakhalpara Cricketers, Mohakhali Cricket Academy, Dhanmondi Cricket Club, Pacific Cricket Club, Safaer Sporting Club, and Alpha Sporting Club. Besides, Vikings Cricket Academy councillor Iftikhar Rahman Mithu was barred from contesting. An uncertainty was created over the BCB election timely following the HC order.

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus has described the cut in donor funding as a serious challenge, saying that it has already caused school closures and the loss of thousands of jobs for Rohingya teachers. "This is a disaster. Education in the camps provided a glimmer of hope for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya children. Our concern is for these children, who are growing up as angry young people and that anger could erupt in unpredictable ways," Prof Yunus told Unicef Executive Director Catherine Russell. She met with the Chief Adviser on Monday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly at a hotel in New York. Prof Yunus, UNHCR chief push for justice, new resources for Rohingya Their discussion focused on the ongoing Rohingya crisis, particularly the severe funding shortfall affecting humanitarian operations for the over one million refugees currently sheltered in Bangladesh. A key concern was the impact of these funding cuts on education services for Rohingya children in the camps, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Tuesday. Unicef Executive Director Russell painted a grim picture of the global funding climate, noting that even traditionally generous European nations are reducing their humanitarian contributions to agencies such as Unicef.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has said they are witnessing a ‘very well-orchestrated move’ by the fallen autocrat, their associates and allied international forces to destabilise the country and foil the upcoming national election, scheduled for early February. "We remain vigilant, as we see such moves unfolding," Alam told reporters at a hotel in New York on Monday evening (US time). He said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has been raising these issues with international partners during his meetings on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. 'Next few months crucial, need your support for election':  Prof Yunus tells UN SG Alam said their foremost responsibility is to ensure a smooth democratic transition and hold the next election in a "free, fair, and festive" manner. "The interim government is committed to that," he added. Asked about involvement of the international community with the well-orchestrated move, the Press Secretary said they are not seeing anyone by name, but what they see is a well-orchestrated move. About the upcoming polls, Prof Yunus said they want the February election to be free and peaceful -something Bangladesh has never truly had. For years, he said, voter rolls were filled with people who never actually voted. "This time, we want to welcome them, especially women, and celebrate their participation. We will launch a major campaign to show people how to vote. Our goal is the highest voter turnout in Bangladesh’s history," Prof Yunus said during his meeting with a delegation of top human rights activists at his hotel in New York. UN to support assessment on Bangladesh's LDC graduation readiness: Rabab Fatima Prof Yunus, however, cautioned that certain international quarters were trying to obstruct the electoral process. “Some forces are determined to make sure the election never happens. We don’t know who is working for whom. A lot of money is being poured in, with beneficiaries both inside and outside Bangladesh. They are well-prepared—that’s the dangerous part. The next few months are critical,” he said. Briefing reporters, Press Secretary Alam said those who fled abroad stealing billions of dollars are now spreading disinformation and fake news. They are trying how the next polls can be foiled and how the election can be made questionable, he said. Prof Yunus, who is visiting New York to attend the UNGA, is scheduled to leave John F Kennedy International Airport for Dhaka on Tuesday night (US time). He is scheduled to return home on October 2.  

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday and agreed that mobilising fresh resources and ensuring just, safe solutions in Myanmar for all Rohingya remain urgent priorities. "As always it was an honour to meet Chief Adviser Prof Yunus ahead of UN conference on the Rohingya and other minorities in Myanmar. We agreed that mobilising new resources and seeking just, safe solutions in Myanmar for all Rohingya people are urgent priorities," he said after the meeting. The meeting was held on Monday ahead of the high-level international conference on the Rohingya crisis at the United Nations headquarters which will begin at 8pm (Bangladesh time) on Tuesday. The two leaders held in-depth discussions on key aspects of the crisis, including the worsening humanitarian conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, recent cuts in international aid affecting over one million refugees in Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar, and ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Rohingya to their homeland, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Tuesday. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus noted that approximately 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh over the past 18 months, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation and raising regional tensions. He expressed strong optimism that Tuesday’s landmark international conference—the first of its kind focused solely on the Rohingya—would produce a clear roadmap for resolving the crisis. Prof Yunus said the event is expected to galvanize international support, particularly in mobilising much-needed funding for the over 1.3 million Rohingya refugees currently living in Bangladesh. Grandi praised last month’s regional conference in Cox’s Bazar, where Rohingya community leaders actively participated in the four-day deliberations for the first time. He encouraged Bangladesh to intensify its diplomatic outreach, particularly with major global powers, to help achieve a durable solution to the crisis. Also attending the meeting was Dr Khalilur Rahman, National Security Adviser, who briefed the UNHCR chief on the ongoing verification process of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. "To date, approximately 250,000 Rohingya have been verified," he said. UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Meets CA Meanwhile, Julie Bishop, former acting Prime Minister of Australia and currently the UN Special Envoy on Myanmar, also called on Chief Adviser Yunus at a hotel in New York on Monday.  

The Embassy of China in Bangladesh on Monday held a pre-departure reception for the second 2025 batch of Bangladeshi diplomats training program in China. Secretary and Rector Dr Md. Nazrul Islam and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen attended the event. Ambassador Yao said this programme marks the fourth batch of young Bangladeshi diplomats to participate in the training initiative jointly organised by the Chinese Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh. The upcoming journey is a “Trip of Mutual Learning” to decode China's development path, a “Trip of Practice” to experience Chinese modernization, and a “Trip of Dialogue” to deepen friendship, he said. Ambassador Yao encouraged the young Bangladeshi diplomats to cherish the opportunity, engage in in-depth observation and exchanges, and strive to be inheritors of the China-Bangladesh friendship, as well as participants and contributors to the healthy development of bilateral relations. Secretary Nazrul Islam expressed gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for providing the valuable training opportunity in China. He stated Bangladesh’s willingness to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese Embassy to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership to new heights.  

The United Nations (UN) has said it will support an 'independent readiness assessment' for Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, following a formal request from the country’s interim government. "I have reaffirmed our full commitment to supporting Bangladesh in ensuring a smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC category," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima on Monday, announcing that her office will support the independent readiness assessment. She commended Bangladesh’s steadfast support to UNOHRLLS. "I am honoured to meet Chief Adviser Prof Yunus." Fatima, who also serves as the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, met the Chief Adviser at his hotel in New York on Monday (US time). SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury were present at the meeting. The readiness assessment is expected to begin within a month and be completed by mid-January, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB, adding that it will help make an informed decision. He said it will be conducted jointly by an international consultant and a Bangladeshi expert to ensure a comprehensive and balanced evaluation. The assessment will involve extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including government officials, business chambers, development experts, civil society leaders, donors, financial institutions, and political representatives, to determine whether Bangladesh is adequately prepared for the transition. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus welcomed the initiative, emphasising the need for empirical evidence before proceeding with the graduation. “It has become an emotional issue,” Prof Yunus said, highlighting the importance of objective data in informing policy decisions. In response, Fatima noted that the UN's most recent economic data on Bangladesh is over two years old. "A lot has changed since then," she said, underscoring the urgency of reassessing the country’s current economic landscape and for making an informed decision. Prof Yunus also expressed concern over the future of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, which has significantly benefited from trade preferences tied to its LDC status. He observed that graduation could put the sector at risk if adequate transition measures are not in place. Prof Yunus seeks WTO support for Bangladesh’s smooth LDC graduation