Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam on Sunday said the recommendations to emerge from the ongoing three-day international stakeholders' dialogue on the Rohingya issue will be presented as inputs at the upcoming high-level Rohingya conference in New York.
The New York conference on the Rohingya issue is scheduled to be held on 30 September on the sidelines of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
"This dialogue has been organised as a preparatory step for the September meeting. Its special significance lies in the direct participation of Rohingyas, where they are sharing their hopes, frustrations, and future expectations," said he foreign secretary in an interview.
"These voices and discussions will be reflected in the discussions in New York," Siam said.
He said that the structure of the Cox's Bazar dialogue is based on four thematic sessions- humanitarian assistance and addressing the ongoing funding crisis, the current situation in Rakhine State in Myanmar and initiatives to build confidence for Rohingya repatriation, ensuring justice and accountability, and long-term strategies for sustainable and timely solutions.
Noting that at the conclusion of the dialogue, a "Chair's Summary" will be prepared, he said, "This document will include the main summary and recommendations of the discussions. It will serve as an important output document for the New York conference."
On the urgent need for humanitarian support, Siam said, "We are strongly highlighting in this dialogue the scale of humanitarian disaster that will unfold if assistance does not come. Alongside existing contributors, efforts are underway to mobilise financial support from new sources as well."
Speaking on the safe and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas, he said Bangladesh's efforts are ongoing.
But the process of repatriation does not depend solely on Bangladesh; it also relies on conditions and trust within Myanmar, he added.
The foreign secretary said that the solution to the Rohingya crisis is no longer a regional matter but has become a global responsibility. "Therefore, the international community must take an active role in this regard," he said.
He informed that Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus would formally inaugurate the dialogue tomorrow and he is expected to make a call for strengthening the coordinated efforts with the global community.
The Office of the High Representative for the Rohingya Issue and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are jointly organising the event titled "Stakeholders' Dialogue: Takeaway to the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Situation", which will continue till 26 August in the coastal district that hosts over a million Rohingya refugees.
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