The UN should play a role in solving the Rohingya crisis : Momen

The Foreign Minister called upon the United Nations to play a strong role in the quick resolution of the Rohingya crisis by identifying the root causes AK Abdul Momen.

The minister called for a bilateral meeting with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar Nolin Hejarak at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh on Tuesday (March 21), New York local time.

The Foreign Minister requested the UN to increase its engagement with the Myanmar authorities as well as all other partners to improve the situation in Rakhine. In particular, he stressed on identifying the root causes of the Rohingya crisis and resolving it quickly.

Referring to the various resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council regarding the Rohingya, Momen urged the Special Envoy to continue multifaceted diplomatic efforts to speed up the process of repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar and to be more involved with all global and regional leaders, including the ASEAN leadership.

Momen said, given the opportunity, Rohingyas can become important members of Myanmar society and contribute to their socio-economic prosperity.

The Foreign Minister highlighted the various humanitarian initiatives and skill development programs undertaken by the Bangladesh government for the Rohingyas, including the introduction of Myanmar curriculum-based education programs in temporary camps located in Cox's Bazar and Bhasanchar. He urged the Special Envoy to work to mobilize adequate funds from the international community to meet the Rohingya's most urgent needs, such as food, education, shelter and health care.

During the bilateral meeting, the foreign minister emphasized on the unity and concerted efforts of the international community to ensure that the UN member countries continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh under the principle of 'Responsibility and Burden Sharing'.

Momen acknowledged with deep gratitude the important responsibility and role of the Special Envoy and assured him of Bangladesh's full support. The Special Envoy assured the Foreign Minister to work closely with Bangladesh for a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis.

The same afternoon, the Foreign Minister attended a high-level dinner at the United Nations Headquarters with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahman.

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