Staff Reporter :
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has reaffirmed his strong support and solidarity with Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transition and reform agenda.
He conveyed this during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the UN Headquarters on Monday.
Professor Yunus was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Miah, and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.
Discussions covered a broad spectrum of issues such as political reforms, preparations for the general election scheduled for February, ensuring accountability for the July uprising atrocities, rising global trade challenges linked to protectionist tariffs, and the International Rohingya Conference set to begin tomorrow (September 30).
The Chief Adviser briefed the Secretary-General on reform initiatives taken by the interim government and reaffirmed his administration’s pledge to hold free, fair, and peaceful elections.
“The coming months will be decisive. We count on your support for the polls,” Professor Yunus said, stressing that the ousted regime and its allies were financing disinformation campaigns with stolen assets in an attempt to derail the democratic process.
“They do not want elections in February, and certain international actors are backing them,” he warned.
In reply, Secretary-General Guterres renewed the UN’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s democratic reforms. He also emphasized the UN’s steadfast advocacy for a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis.
He praised Professor Yunus’s leadership over the past 14 months, noting his respect and admiration for the way the Chief Adviser has steered the country through a difficult political transition.
Professor Yunus, in turn, expressed his appreciation to the UN chief for convening Monday’s high-level International Rohingya Conference, calling it crucial for keeping the crisis on the global agenda and for mobilizing funds to sustain humanitarian operations in the camps.
The Secretary-General concluded by once again assuring Bangladesh of the UN’s solidarity in its pursuit of democratic stability and a resolution to the Rohingya issue.
