Dhaka: The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, has announced that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in mid-March to meet the Rohingyas in camps located in Cox's Bazar. Bishop shared this information during a meeting with Bangladesh Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the meeting, the two officials discussed the ongoing Rohingya crisis and explored new strategies to resolve it. They also deliberated on ways to attract new donors to provide humanitarian assistance for the more than a million forcibly displaced Rohingyas residing in camps in southeast Bangladesh.
Professor Yunus highlighted that the United Nations plans to hold an international conference on the Rohingya crisis later this year. He encouraged Julie Bishop, who previously served as the acting Prime Minister of Australia, to assume a central role in the significant event. "Your role will be crucial," Yunus stated, mentioning that Malaysia and Finland have consented to act as co-facilitators for the conference.
The Chief Adviser also requested the UN Special Envoy's assistance in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the conflict-ridden Rakhine state and preventing further refugee influx from Western Myanmar. The meeting also focused on rallying additional donor support for the Rohingya refugees amidst uncertainties surrounding changes in the US foreign policy.
Bishop emphasized the importance of ensuring the success of the UN international conference on the Rohingya issue, as it would be essential for finding a sustainable solution to the long-standing crisis.