by RK Desk
July 23, 2026
Bangladesh has called for stronger international efforts to support the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of more than 1.3 million Rohingya refugees to Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
Speaking at the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman said the Rohingya crisis is fundamentally a political problem that requires a political solution.
“The Rohingya are not stateless by chance—they were made stateless through political decisions,” Dr. Khalilur said.
He urged ASEAN member states and the broader international community to help create conditions in Myanmar that would enable Rohingya refugees to return home safely, voluntarily, and with dignity.
Bangladesh has hosted Rohingya refugees for nearly a decade. The government says the prolonged displacement has placed significant social, economic, environmental, and security pressures on the country and continues to call on regional and international partners to intensify diplomatic efforts toward a durable solution.
On the sidelines of the forum, Dr. Khalilur held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Australia, as well as the Vice President of the European Commission. The discussions covered trade, investment, tourism, humanitarian assistance, and cooperation in international forums.
The leaders also congratulated Dr. Khalilur on his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly and expressed their support for his upcoming term.
Dr. Khalilur also met with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, where the two leaders exchanged greetings.
The Bangladeshi delegation is participating in the 33rd ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting and events marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
