Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus said Asia must step up and strengthen cooperation in four key areas -- financial, trade; food and agriculture and technology, stressing Bangladesh faces multiple challenges which are shared by other Asian countries.
"In this changing world, the destinies of Asian countries are intertwined. We must chart a clear roadmap for a shared future and shared prosperity," Yunus said during the opening session of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025, held in Hainan, China on Thursday (27 March).
"This is the shared future we in Asia must create together," he added.
He also called on Asian leaders to unite in ensuring the safe and dignified return of over a million Rohingya refugees to their home country of Myanmar.
Addressing the forum, Yunus highlighted the seven-year-long burden carried by Bangladesh in hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who were forced to flee Myanmar due to violence and persecution.
He emphasised that Bangladesh, while providing refuge, has been carrying significant social, economic, and environmental costs to accommodate these refugees.
Yunus also mentioned the United Nations Secretary-General's visit to the Rohingya camps, signalling global solidarity for their plight.
However, Yunus stressed that the world’s efforts have become increasingly limited.
He said, "To ensure the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, Asian leaders must come together and take united action."
In the plenary session, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, China's Executive Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, Boao Forum Chairman Ban Ki-moon, and Secretary-General Zhang Jun are expected to speak, addressing various critical issues impacting Asia.
Muhammad Yunus arrived in China on Wednesday for a four-day official visit, and is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday in Beijing for their first bilateral discussions, which will cover a range of bilateral matters.
Alongside his visit to the Boao Forum, Yunus will also engage with CEOs of major Chinese corporations.
He is scheduled to return to Bangladesh on 29 March.
