Reaffirming Bangladesh’s firm stance on the Rohingya crisis, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday said the government continues to place the highest priority on the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to Myanmar.

Recalling the visit of António Guterres in 2025, the state minister stressed the importance of keeping global attention focused on the protracted crisis. She highlighted the need for a coordinated multi-stakeholder approach and called for sustained international cooperation, particularly in securing funding to maintain essential humanitarian assistance for the displaced population.

The remarks came during a meeting with newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator (ad interim) Carol Flore-Smereczniak at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Shama Obaed expressed appreciation for the continued engagement of the United Nations Country Team and its various agencies operating in Bangladesh. She also acknowledged their role in supporting Bangladesh’s democratic processes and shared her own experiences of working closely with UN entities.

She further referred to a congratulatory letter sent by the UN Secretary-General to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the recent election, underscoring the importance of sustained UN support in advancing the new government’s policy priorities.

According to United News of Bangladesh (UNB), the state minister also stressed the urgency of mobilizing adequate resources to continue humanitarian operations in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char, noting that any funding shortfall could exacerbate vulnerabilities among the Rohingya population.

In response, Flore-Smereczniak reaffirmed the UN’s strong commitment to Bangladesh and its willingness to further deepen cooperation with the government. She highlighted the UN’s ongoing focus on key development priorities, including women’s empowerment, gender equality, and inclusive growth.

Shama Obaed assured the UN of Bangladesh’s full support and reiterated the government’s readiness to work closely with the organization to achieve shared development and humanitarian goals.

Earlier in the day, the UN Resident Coordinator (ad interim) also held a separate meeting with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at his office, where issues of mutual interest and continued collaboration were discussed.

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