Staff Reporter :
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a significant statement on Saturday, acknowledged the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people for a future based on democracy, justice, and prosperity.
Speaking alongside Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, at a joint briefing at Dhaka’s InterContinental Hotel, Guterres highlighted the pivotal moment Bangladesh finds itself in as it navigates essential political and social reforms.
“This is a crucial moment for Bangladesh, and the international community must play its part in supporting your efforts towards a just, inclusive, and prosperous future,” Guterres remarked.
He also reassured the nation that the United Nations 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,” he added.
The UN chief also commended Bangladesh’s extraordinary generosity in hosting over a million Rohingya refugees fleeing violence and persecution from Myanmar, emphasising the nation’s compassion despite the significant social, environmental, and economic costs involved.
“The world must not take this generosity for granted,” Guterres stated, urging the international community to assume greater responsibility and provide necessary support for both the refugees and their host communities.
The humanitarian situation in Cox’s Bazar, where the majority of the refugees reside, was also a key concern.
Guterres warned of an impending humanitarian crisis, as financial aid cuts threaten to reduce resources available for humanitarian assistance by 60 per cent in 2025.
“That would be a catastrophic disaster. People will suffer, and people will die. I strongly appeal to the international community to prevent this tragedy,” Guterres said, stressing the urgency of maintaining adequate support for both refugees and the local population.
In addition to his comments on the Rohingya crisis, Guterres reiterated the UN’s commitment to working with Bangladesh and other nations to find a long-term solution, ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees to Myanmar.
He also highlighted ongoing international efforts to address the plight of the Rohingya and other minority groups through an upcoming High-Level Conference on the crisis in Myanmar.
The day’s discussions also included a roundtable meeting on the ongoing political reforms in Bangladesh, with Guterres engaging with political party representatives, including BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Salah Uddin Ahmed, and other stakeholders.
The dialogue, which also included members of the National Consensus Building Commission and political analysts, focused on the key electoral reforms necessary for the country’s political transition.
As Bangladesh stands at a crossroads, with both domestic and international pressures mounting on its political leadership, the next steps in the reform process will be critical in determining the trajectory of the nation’s democracy.
The involvement of the UN, alongside domestic political actors, signals a critical juncture in the country’s history as it seeks to balance reform with stability and inclusivity.
