PM seeks Rohingya return roadmap

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday called for a clear and credible roadmap involving international and regional stakeholders to ensure the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, as he joined a high-level discussion on the protracted crisis at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Speaking at the event titled “The Rohingya Crisis: A Renewed Call for a Durable Solution from Protracted Displacement, with Justice and Accountability”, he stressed the need for concerted global efforts to create conditions conducive to the voluntary return of the displaced Myanmar nationals.
“Bangladesh does not want the Rohingya to remain displaced forever. We want them to return to their homes in Myanmar safely and voluntarily, with dignity and with their rights protected. Bangladesh has carried its responsibility with humanity. Now the international community must carry its responsibility with conviction,” the prime minister said.
Tarique Rahman said that if the necessary conditions were created, Bangladesh would be ready to facilitate their return.
Describing the cost of prolonged displacement for host communities in Cox’s Bazar, he said the social, economic, environmental and security pressures on Bangladesh were immense.
“Prolonged uncertainty and desperation are creating new challenges and security risks, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking and other transnational crimes. Some people are leaving by boat for Malaysia, endangering their lives. A crisis left unresolved in one country can become a security challenge for an entire region,” he said.
Putting forward a five-point proposal to resolve the ongoing crisis, the Prime Minister said: “Together, let us ensure that the Rohingyas’ fate is not another story of persecution, expulsion and displacement. Let it be a story of justice, dignity and hope.”

The prime minister earlier in the morning began the second day of his historic visit with a breakfast meeting attended by representatives of the Gates Foundation, Visa Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, International Rescue Committee (IRC), Beast Philanthropy, Rotary International, CIMMYT, UPS Foundation, IKEA Foundation, GEDI, Infosys Foundation, UN Museum Live, Bayer Foundation, Zayed Sustainability Prize and Northwell Health, among other organisations.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gates Foundation Mark Suzman called on the prime minister at the Hyatt Grand Central New York.
During the meeting, they discussed public health, child health, immunisation, affordable vaccines, preventive healthcare and the modernisation of the health system.
They also exchanged views on plans to expand healthcare services at the upazila and district levels, recruit and train 100,000 healthcare workers, create international employment opportunities for trained healthcare workers, and develop an AI-integrated digital public healthcare system.
According to the schedule, another important engagement for the prime minister would be his participation in the high-level meeting on climate action and a just transition, titled “Climate Action and the Just Transition”, at the Trusteeship Council of the UN Headquarters in the afternoon.
Tarique Rahman was expected to place particular emphasis on climate finance, adaptation, technology transfer, loss and damage, and climate justice.
He may press for greater support for vulnerable countries, including accessible and predictable financing for climate adaptation and loss and damage.
The prime minister would then hold a courtesy meeting with President of Boeing Global Dr Brendan Nelson at the Hyatt Grand Central New York, followed by an agreement-signing ceremony for the purchase of 11 more aircraft. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Ministers for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and Shama Obaed Islam were expected to be present.
After the signing ceremony, the prime minister was expected to have a meeting with the head of the Boeing delegation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s wife Dr Zubaida Rahman on Wednesday met US First Lady Melania Trump at the latter’s invitation at an event held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
The event was organised by the White House as part of Melania Trump’s initiative, “Fostering the Future Together”, bringing together first spouses and senior representatives from different countries.
Discussions at the event focused on children’s education, technology, digital skills, artificial intelligence and online safety for children.
Today, on the third day of his official participation in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Prime Minister will make history by delivering his maiden address to the UNGA as prime minister of Bangladesh in the afternoon.
He will be the third member of his family to address the UNGA, following his parents, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and late prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
In his address, the prime minister is likely to outline Bangladesh’s renewed democratic journey and the government’s positions on key national and global challenges.
Tarique Rahman is expected to tell world leaders about Bangladesh’s democratic transformation and the government’s efforts to hold elections through a free and fair electoral process following years of what it describes as undemocratic rule and highly controlled polls.
The prime minister is also expected to outline his vision for Bangladesh’s future and the country’s intended role in promoting global peace, sustainable solutions and the resolution of international crises.
The head of government may also focus on the Rohingya crisis, equitable access to modern technology, reform of the multilateral system, global peace and security, climate change, sustainable development and economic cooperation.
Earlier, he will participate in and deliver opening remarks at a high-level meeting addressing the existential threats posed by sea-level rise, titled “High-level Meeting to Address the Existential Threats Posed by Sea-level Rise”, at the UN Headquarters.
The prime minister will also hold bilateral meetings with Pakistan Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, and exchange greetings and take part in a photo session with the Swedish Foreign Minister.
Tarique Rahman will also hold an important meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The prime minister will deliver opening remarks at a high-level event titled “From Commitment to Action: Integrating Midwifery into Primary Health Care to End Preventable Maternal and Newborn Deaths”.
He is expected to attend a dinner hosted by the Office of the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in the evening.

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