UN Secretary-General António Guterres will visit the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar on 14 March as part of his annual Ramadan solidarity tour.
He will be accompanied by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus.
During the visit, Guterres will share an iftar meal with both the local Bangladeshi community and Rohingya refugees who fled persecution and violence in Myanmar.
Bangladesh currently shelters nearly 10 lakh Rohingya refugees, a testament to its humanitarian commitment.
Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad Mazumdar, said that Yunus will depart for Cox’s Bazar on the morning of 14 March and return to Dhaka in the evening.
Guterres’ visit to Bangladesh, scheduled from 13 to 16 March, will also include engagements in Dhaka, where he is expected to meet with civil society representatives and young leaders.
His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, noted that the UN chief has turned his Ramadan solidarity visits into an annual tradition, reaffirming his commitment to displaced and marginalised communities worldwide.
In a statement, Guterres remarked, “Every Ramadan, I travel to different Muslim communities to express solidarity and observe fasting. This mission serves as a reminder of the true essence of Islam.”
He added, “Ramadan highlights the values of compassion, empathy, and generosity. It is a time for reunions with family and community… and I always find immense peace in this season.”
In a recent letter to Yunus, Guterres expressed hope that the upcoming high-level conference on Rohingya and other minority communities in Myanmar would renew global focus on the crisis and expedite efforts toward a sustainable resolution.
He reiterated the UN’s commitment to mobilising international support for Bangladesh as the primary host of the Rohingya refugees.
“The UN will continue its efforts to bring together the international community in support of Bangladesh’s role as a host nation,” Guterres wrote.
He also reaffirmed his dedication to fostering a political resolution in Myanmar, ensuring the safe and voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Rakhine.
“I will maintain my engagement with regional stakeholders, ASEAN, and other partners to create a conducive environment for their return,” he stated.
Guterres has instructed senior UN officials in Bangladesh and Myanmar to provide guidance on maximising humanitarian assistance and livelihood support for the affected communities in Rakhine.
He emphasised that the UN will prioritise engagement with Myanmar’s humanitarian and coordination bodies to ensure swift, sustainable, and unrestricted aid access across the region.
“The UN system awaits the agreed-upon outcomes and strategic framework following consultations with member states on the best ways to support this process,” Guterres added.
On 4 February, Guterres acknowledged Yunus’ letter, which was delivered to him on 7 February by Khalilur Rahman, the High Representative for Rohingya Affairs and Priorities.
The UN chief reiterated the organisation’s steadfast solidarity with Bangladesh and reaffirmed its support for Yunus’ leadership in the ongoing reform process.
He also concurred with Bangladesh’s concerns regarding the regional impact of the Rohingya crisis and the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Rakhine.
