Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has called for a “coordinated global initiative” to address the protracted Rohingya crisis, warning that humanitarian assistance alone is insufficient to resolve the situation.
Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday, Rahman emphasized that a durable and sustainable solution lies in ensuring the safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Rakhine State.
He stressed that the international community must move beyond relief-based responses and play a more decisive role in creating conditions conducive to repatriation, particularly by supporting stability, security, and the protection of human rights within Myanmar.
The foreign minister also expressed concern over declining global funding for Rohingya refugees, urging donor countries and international agencies to scale up financial assistance at a time when humanitarian needs remain acute.
Rahman noted a potential diplomatic opening, revealing that both the Myanmar military authorities and the Arakan Army had extended welcomes following his appointment. While cautious, he suggested this could signal an opportunity for renewed engagement.
“The Rohingya crisis is a solvable problem, but it requires sustained international cooperation and a coordinated global response,” he said.
Refugee Numbers Continue to Rise
According to data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Rohingya population in camps in Cox’s Bazar has increased sharply over the past year.
Figures released in early March indicate that the refugee population grew from approximately 1,006,107 in February 2025 to 1,184,864 by February 2026—an increase of nearly 179,000 people within a single year.
Efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees have faced repeated setbacks. A bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar initiated in 2017 failed to produce results, with attempts in 2019 collapsing due to widespread distrust among refugees toward Myanmar authorities.
Subsequent disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, further derailed progress. The ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar continues to stall formal negotiations, even as fresh waves of displacement push more Rohingya into Bangladesh.
Bilateral Engagement on the Sidelines
On the margins of the forum, Rahman also held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, where regional issues, including the Rohingya crisis, were discussed.
