By Hafizur Rahman. Cox’s Bazar, August 18, 2025
Bangladesh is set to host a three-day international conference in Cox’s Bazar from August 25, focusing on the Rohingya crisis. The event will serve as a preparation for a larger high-level meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 30, during the UN General Assembly.
Conference Details
The Cox’s Bazar conference will take place at Hotel Baywatch in the Inani area of Ukhia upazila. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus is expected to attend as the chief guest.
According to Cox’s Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Imran Hossain Sajeeb, the event is being organized on the eighth anniversary of the Rohingya influx into Bangladesh. Foreign ministers, international envoys, Bangladesh missions abroad, and representatives of UN agencies are expected to participate.
Agenda and Sessions
The conference aims to mobilize international support for Rohingya refugees while pushing for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation to Rakhine State, Myanmar.
It will include:
- Five working sessions on humanitarian aid and repatriation plans (August 24–25).
- Cultural programs and exhibitions showcasing camp life and refugee experiences.
- A visit to Rohingya camps scheduled for August 26.
Link to Global Events
National Security Adviser and High Representative on Rohingya Affairs Khalilur Rahman said the Cox’s Bazar conference is part of preparations for the UN-led international conference in New York on September 30. That global event, supported by 106 countries, is expected to produce a concrete action plan on humanitarian aid and repatriation.
He added that the initiative followed a call made by Chief Adviser Yunus last year at the UN. Another international conference on the Rohingya issue is also scheduled in Doha, Qatar, on December 6.
Significance for Rohingya Refugees
For the Rohingya, these back-to-back international conferences highlight the urgent need for global attention as funding declines and living conditions in Bangladesh camps worsen. The Cox’s Bazar event will bring international actors directly into the refugee-hosting district, underscoring the human cost of eight years in limbo and the pressing need for a durable solution.
