Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Interim Chief Advisor, has called for an urgent international conference to find a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis and ensure their “safe and dignified” repatriation to Myanmar.

On Thursday, October 24, in a statement marking United Nations Day, Dr. Yunus made this appeal.

United Nations Day is observed annually on October 24, commemorating the anniversary of the UN Charter coming into force in 1945. On this day, the UN officially came into existence after the majority of signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, ratified the founding document.

In his message, Dr. Yunus urged the UN to pay “urgent attention” to the Rohingya crisis, stating, “We cannot ignore those who continue to face persecution, displacement, and severe human rights violations in Rakhine State (Myanmar) or Gaza.”

He pointed out that over 1.3 million Rohingyas, including 40,000 recent arrivals, are currently taking refuge in Bangladesh. Dr. Yunus called on the UN to take decisive action to protect the civilian population, including children, women, and men in Bangladesh, while also emphasizing the need for dialogue to ensure peace in Gaza, Lebanon, and the broader region.

He stated, “On this day, Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to work with the international community to build a more just and peaceful world, while also striving to uphold dignity and rights for all.”

On the occasion of United Nations Day, Dr. Yunus extended his heartfelt congratulations to the global UN family on behalf of the people of Bangladesh and reiterated the country’s commitment to the ideals of the UN Charter. He also called for reforms to make the UN more inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the hopes and aspirations of all people in an increasingly globalized world.