Rohingya refugees: CA urges Asian leaders for dignified return
Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professoressor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has called on Asian leaders to take proactive steps toward ensuring a safe and dignified repatriation of displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
Speaking at the opening plenary of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) conference in Hainan on Thursday, Dr. Yunus emphasized the urgent need for regional cooperation in addressing this humanitarian crisis.
The session also featured speeches from Boao Forum for Asia Secretary General Zhang Jun, Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and Executive Vice Premier of China’s State Council Ding Xuexiang.
Professor Yunus reminded the audience that Bangladesh has been sheltering over 1.2 million Rohingyas for more than seven years, bearing immense social, economic, and environmental burdens.
“We continue to shoulder significant costs on multiple fronts,” he said.
He also mentioned UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent visit to the Rohingya camps, where he expressed solidarity with the displaced community.
“Although global efforts to support the Rohingya are dwindling, they must persist. It is imperative for Asian leaders to unite in ensuring their safe and dignified return to Myanmar,” he said.
Addressing the broader global challenges, Professor Yunus highlighted how ongoing conflicts are eroding rights and destabilizing economies.
The CA condemned the continuing genocide in Gaza, stressing that the Palestinian crisis is not merely an Arab or Muslim issue but a critical humanitarian concern.
He also pointed out the repercussions of prolonged conflicts, citing the war in Ukraine’s impact on global supply chains and the crisis in Myanmar’s destabilizing effect on the region.
Touching on Asia’s demographic potential, Dr. Yunus underscored the transformative role of a young and growing workforce in driving innovation and productivity.
“It is crucial to empower youth by ensuring access to finance for entrepreneurship and sustainable solutions,” he said.
He emphasized that investing in human capital and aligning education with evolving global job markets will be pivotal in shaping Asia’s future competitiveness.
CA Yunus also noted the persistent gender disparities in the region, pointing out that women’s participation in the labor force remains low, with leadership and decision-making opportunities still largely unequal.
“We must dismantle barriers to women’s economic empowerment and create equal opportunities for all,” he said.
Celebrating Asia’s rich cultural diversity, Professor Yunus acknowledged its deep-rooted influence on human civilization.
He highlighted how the philosophies of Islam, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Hinduism have significantly contributed to global thought, offering diverse perspectives on ethics, governance, and human values.
Asia’s civilizations have long thrived by embracing diversity, he said, adding that cultural exchanges over the centuries have shaped not just the region but the world at large.
“Today, Asia’s cultural wealth serves as a pillar of its growing global influence,” he noted.
He stressed that the seamless blend of tradition and modernity-where ancestral wisdom coexists with cutting-edge innovation-fuels the region’s dynamic progress while staying rooted in its rich history.