Prime Minister Tarique Rahman raised the issue with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of COP31 in Türkiye.
By RK Desk. Dhaka | November 12, 2026
Bangladesh asked Australia on Thursday to step up diplomatic efforts to help create conditions for Rohingya refugees to return safely to Myanmar. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made the request during talks with his Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, in Antalya, Türkiye.
The two leaders met at 10:30 a.m. local time on the sidelines of the COP31 climate conference, according to Hasan Shiplu, Rahman’s deputy press secretary. Rahman told Albanese that the crisis began in Myanmar and that a lasting solution would require action there. The leaders also discussed climate change, Australian investment in Bangladesh and cooperation in agriculture.
Rahman invited Albanese to visit Bangladesh. According to the Bangladeshi briefing, Albanese said he hoped to make the visit in 2027. The briefing did not give Albanese’s response to the request for diplomatic support on Rohingya return or specify any steps Australia had agreed to take.
Australia already funds services for Rohingya refugees
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says the country has committed more than A$1.26 billion in humanitarian assistance to Bangladesh and Myanmar since 2017. That includes a three-year programme of up to A$370 million that began in 2026. The programme covers both countries, supporting Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh as well as communities affected by conflict and disasters in Myanmar. Australian-funded assistance includes food, water, shelter, education, healthcare and protection services.
In August, Australia called for Rohingya people to have equal access to public services and said it would continue working with Rohingya communities, Bangladesh and international partners to improve livelihoods. Australia’s aid budget assessment says conditions in Myanmar remain unsuitable for safe, voluntary and dignified return.
Dhaka raises return in a second meeting at COP31
The appeal to Australia came two days after Rahman asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to maintain Türkiye’s support for the Rohingya at the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. At that meeting, Rahman also thanked Türkiye for its humanitarian assistance and its support on the Rohingya issue at the International Court of Justice.
Bangladesh and the UN refugee agency counted 1,208,018 Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char as of October 31. The Bangladeshi accounts of the two Antalya meetings gave no timetable for their return.
