High-level UN confce planned to address Rohingya issue
Staff Reporter :
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reaffirmed his support for Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, in its transition process and efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
In a letter dated 25 February, Guterres expressed gratitude for a previous letter from Dr Yunus, which was delivered by Khalilur Rahman, the Chief Adviser’s High Representative for the Rohingya Issue and Priority Matters, during a meeting in New York on 7 February.
The Secretary-General also confirmed his visit to Bangladesh from 13 to 16 March, following an invitation from Dr Yunus.
Guterres acknowledged the severe impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the wider region, as well as the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
“I share your concerns regarding the impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the region, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Rakhine,” Guterres wrote in the letter.
He assured Bangladesh of continued UN support in resolving the crisis, stating, “The United Nations will continue to mobilise the international community to support Bangladesh as a host to the Rohingya.”
Reiterating his commitment to a political solution, he added, “I will continue to exercise my good offices, including through my Special Envoy on Myanmar, to work closely with regional actors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other stakeholders to create conditions conducive to the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Rakhine.”
To enhance humanitarian aid and livelihood support in Rakhine, Guterres stated, “I have instructed my senior managers to provide guidance to the United Nations Country Teams in Bangladesh and Myanmar on how we can maximise humanitarian assistance 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, a.i. in Myanmar, to enable safe, rapid, sustained, and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar,” the letter further read.
Referring to the upcoming High-Level Conference on the Rohingya crisis at the United Nations, Guterres remarked, “I am hopeful that the High-Level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar will serve as an opportunity to galvanise renewed global attention and contribute to developing a wide range of solutions for the Rohingya and other minorities.”
Regarding the expected outcome of the conference, he wrote, “We await the agreed outcomes and plans following Member State consultations to determine how the United Nations system can best support the process.”