by Hafizur Rahman
New York, United States | June 19, 2026
Bangladesh has called on the international community to strengthen efforts to support the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
Speaking at a high-level discussion during the Humanitarian Affairs Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stressed the need to protect civilians, uphold international humanitarian law, and maintain international support for resolving the Rohingya crisis.
She said those responsible for violations of international humanitarian law should be held accountable and called for greater international cooperation to prevent conflicts and improve coordination among humanitarian, peacebuilding, and development actors.
The State Minister also highlighted the role of women in peacebuilding and humanitarian response efforts. She expressed concern over online harassment, disinformation, and technology-facilitated abuse targeting women and girls and renewed Bangladesh’s call for a global platform to address such challenges.
Addressing the humanitarian situation facing Rohingya refugees, Shama Obaed warned that funding shortfalls are affecting assistance programs, particularly those supporting Rohingya women and girls.
She reiterated that the long-term solution to the Rohingya crisis lies in the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
On the sidelines of the event, the State Minister also met with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Dr. Nguyen Minh Vu, to discuss bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.
