UN Secretary General Guterres writes to CA, expresses solidarity with Bangladesh
The UN Secretary-General acknowledged the significant impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the region, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed strong solidarity with Bangladesh and reiterated the United Nations' support for the country's transition process under the leadership of Chief Adviser (CA) Muhammad Yunus.
In a letter dated 25 February, he wrote, "I wish to thank you for your letter dated 4 February 2025, which was shared with me by your High Representative for the Rohingya Crisis and Priority Affairs, Mr Khalilur Rahman, during our meeting on 7 February."
The UN Secretary-General acknowledged the significant impact of the Rohingya crisis on Bangladesh and the region, as well as the worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar's Rakhine State.
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He assured the chief adviser of the UN's continued support, stating, "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. The United Nations will continue to mobilise the international community to support Bangladesh as a host to the Rohingya."
Guterres also confirmed his commitment to working towards a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar.
"I will continue to exercise my good offices, including through my special envoy on the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, to work closely with regional actors, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and other stakeholders, towards a political solution to the crisis in Myanmar, including creating conditions conducive to the safe and voluntary return of the Rohingya to Rakhine."
The letter also outlined the UN's efforts to maximize humanitarian aid and livelihood support to the communities in Rakhine.
Guterres added, "I have requested my senior managers to provide guidance to the United Nations Country Teams in Bangladesh and Myanmar on how we can maximize humanitarian aid and livelihood support to communities in Rakhine."
"The United Nations will prioritize 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," he said in his letter.
At Muhammad Yunus's request, the United Nations is set to organize an international conference on the Rohingya issue, scheduled for the second half of this year.
"I am hopeful that the High-level Conference on the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar will be an opportunity to galvanize renewed global attention and contribute to developing a wider range of solutions for Rohingya and other minorities," Guterres wrote.
"We await the agreed outcomes and plans for the conference, following member state consultations, to understand how the United Nations system can best support the process," he said.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will visit Bangladesh from 13-16 March.
The visit comes following an invitation from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, which was conveyed by Khalilur Rahman, high representative of the Chief Adviser on the Rohingya Issue and Priority Matters, during his meeting with Guterres in New York on 7 February.
On 7 February, Khalilur Rahman, met with the UN secretary-general in New York and handed over the invitation letter from the chief adviser.
