United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Bangladesh for a four-day visit, marking his second trip to the country in a decade. His visit aims to highlight the ongoing Rohingya crisis and global humanitarian support.
Guterres landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 5 PM on Thursday, where he was received by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Tauhid Hossain.
Ahead of the visit, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Mojumder briefed the media at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday. They confirmed that the UN Secretary-General would meet Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hossain on Friday before heading to Cox’s Bazar. The Chief Adviser will accompany him on the same flight.
In Cox’s Bazar, Guterres will visit a Rohingya refugee camp, where he will engage in a campaign with Rohingya children and attend a presentation on nutrition and humanitarian assistance. He is also scheduled to visit the Rohingya Cultural Center to witness cultural performances and inspect a learning center. In the evening, he will join a mass iftar with thousands of Rohingya refugees, hosted by the Chief Adviser.
Meanwhile, the Chief Adviser will inaugurate a project at Cox’s Bazar Airport, visit a climate refugee center, and unveil a model mosque. After the scheduled events, both the Chief Adviser and the UN Secretary-General will return to Dhaka the same night.
On Saturday, Guterres will have a packed agenda, including visits to the UN office in Dhaka and meetings with the Consensus Commission and civil society representatives. Later, he will address a press conference. In the evening, he will attend an iftar and dinner hosted by the Chief Adviser before departing from Bangladesh the next day.
According to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, this visit is expected to draw global attention to the Rohingya crisis and facilitate urgent financial aid. “Humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees has significantly declined. Around $15 million is needed every month to meet their nutritional requirements. We hope this visit will reinstate global focus and ensure uninterrupted aid,” said Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.
Liberty News’ national correspondent states that he also revealed that the UN is set to host an international conference on the Rohingya crisis in September, co-sponsored by Finland and Malaysia. Officials anticipate that this conference will accelerate a sustainable solution to the crisis.
LND/BG
