New York, 21 March 2023:
Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen M.P., urged the Special Envoy of the Secretary General on
Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer to increase her engagements with Myanmar authorities as well as others
stakeholders in improving the conditions in Rakhine so that the Rohingyas can return to their homes without
delay. He particularly emphasized on addressing root causes of the crisis which lie in Myanmar. The Foreign
Minister said this during a bilateral meeting with the Special Envoy held today at the Permanent Mission of
Bangladesh to the UN in New York.
Referring to the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council on Myanmar,
Minister Momen called upon the Special Envoy to continue taking a multi-pronged approach and remain
engaged with all global and regional actors including ASEAN leadership, with a view to fostering lasting peace
in Myanmar.
Highlighting the various humanitarian initiatives and skill development programs undertaken by the
Government of Bangladesh at the temporary shelter of Rohingya at Cox’s Bazaar and Bhashan Char including
the introduction of Myanmar curriculum-based education in those camps, Momen urged the Special Envoy to
mobilize adequate funding from the international community to provide for the Rohingyas especially in
meeting their most urgent needs, such as, food and shelter. “If given opportunities, the Rohingya people can
be important members of Myanmar society and contribute in their socio-economic prosperity”, added the
Minister.
Foreign Minister underscored the urgent need for the unity and concerted efforts of the international
community to resolve the Rohingya crisis in all its dimensions, in the true spirit of responsibility and burden
sharing. He acknowledged with deep appreciation the important mandate and role of the Special Envoy and
assured her of Bangladesh’s full support. In return, Special Envoy reassured the Foreign Minister to work
closely with Bangladesh in securing a lasting solution of the Rohingya crisis.
Later today, the Foreign Minister met with King Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
and Emomali Rahmon, President of the Republic of Tajikistan at a high-level working dinner hosted by
Netherlands and Tajikistan as the co-hosts of the Water Conference.
The Foreign Minister is leading the Bangladesh delegation to the UN 2023 Water Conference in New
York from 22 to 24 March.