Momen urges UN to enhance engagements to address the root causes of Rohingya crisis
23 March 2023
Staff Reporter :
Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen has 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.
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 particularly emphasised 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 on Tuesday at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN in New York, Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
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.
Referring to the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Security Council on Myanmar, Dr 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 Bazar and Bhashan Char including the introduction of Myanmar curriculum-based education in those camps. Momen urged the Special Envoy to mobilise 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", the Minister stated.
The Foreign Minister also 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.
