Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has called on BIMSTEC to take more visible actions in engaging Myanmar to restore stability in Rakhine, creating an environment for the safe return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh.
Speaking at the sixth BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok this morning, Prof Yunus emphasized the need for dialogue to resolve internal conflicts in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine. Leaders from all seven BIMSTEC member states, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, attended the summit.
Ahead of the meeting, the leaders observed a moment of silence for the victims of recent earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand.
Citing a UNDP warning of an impending famine in Rakhine, Prof Yunus proposed establishing a humanitarian channel to supply essential goods to prevent further displacement. Bangladesh currently shelters 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled the 2017 military crackdown in Rakhine. With Myanmar's 2021 military takeover and the ongoing civil war, the Arakan Army now controls about 90 percent of Rakhine State.
"The prolonged Rohingya crisis, if left unresolved, could destabilize the entire region," Prof Yunus warned. He urged BIMSTEC nations to actively participate in the upcoming UN-led "High-Level Conference on the Situation of Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar" scheduled for September 2025.
As Bangladesh assumes the BIMSTEC chairmanship for the next two years, Prof Yunus stressed the need for the organization to produce tangible results after 28 years of existence. "Our civil society and private sector urge BIMSTEC to take up practical and result-oriented initiatives," he said, adding that regional cooperation should be driven by impact and mutual benefits.
He also underscored the importance of addressing income inequality, balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, and collaborating on global challenges like climate change.
Prof Yunus further briefed the BIMSTEC leaders on Bangladesh’s interim government, which was formed following a mass uprising. He reassured them that holding free, fair, and participatory national elections remains a top priority.
"As we rebuild Bangladesh, we are committed to upholding the constitutional rights of all citizens, including women and ethnic and religious minorities," he affirmed.
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