Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will call upon the International community to pressurize Myanmar in reaching a peaceful but lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
Briefing the media on Thursday, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said, “Myanmar had violated our airspace and set up land mines along the border. They have really tried to push our limits but we chose to remain calm.”
At the UN assembly, the prime minister will showcase initiatives and challenges Bangladesh had to undertake to tackle the crisis.
On his recent visit to Myanmar, Ali said “We have visited some of the regions in Northern Rakhine, and the situation there is actually as dire as it looks.”
“There are already some diplomatic pressures on Myanmar to reach a lasting solution for the crisis,” he added.
The minister hinted at the possibility of a meeting with his Chinese and Myanmar counterparts in New York, but did not elaborate on it.
He also said that the prime minister will present some “fresh specific proposals” at the UN to overcome the Rohingya crisis.
The PM’s itinerary at New York includes some high profile meetings.
She will be honored with two awards during the assembly, said Ali.
She will be receiving the prestigious IPS International Achievement Award and the Global Hope Coalition Special Recognition award for Outstanding Leadership.
The heads of state or government, members of their parties and other delegations, observers or individual members will attend the 73rd session of the UNGA to be held from Sept 25 to Oct 1.
Hasina is scheduled to leave Dhaka for New York on Friday.
Ali said the prime minister will place the proposals at the general debate session of UNGA on Sept 27.
Apart from the Rohingya issue, the she will also discuss on world peace, safe migration, the rights of Palestine people, women empowerment and climate change, added the foreign minister.
The same day, Hasina will also join ‘High Level Side Event on the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis’ organised by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
She will also address a high level meeting styled ‘High level discussion on Economic Growth through Women’s Empowerment’ the same day. The UN secretary-general is also expected to address the discussion.
On Sept 24, the Prime Minister will attend a meeting tiled ‘High Level Event on the Global Compact on Refugees: A Model for Greater Solidarity and Cooperation’ to discuss how international community can contribute more toresolving the Rohingya crisis. The UN Secretary General will also attend the meeting.
On the same day, she will join ‘Nelson Mandela Peace Summit: UNGA High-level Plenary on Global Peace’, marking the 100th birth anniversary of Mandela where a political declaration on world peace to be adopted.
Later in the day, Hasina will attend a discussion on investment for education of women and girls, hosted by the Canadian prime minister.
Bangladesh will host a discussion titled ‘High Level Side Event on Cyber Security and International Cooperation’ on Sept 25, said Foreign Minister Ali.
Hasina will inaugurate the discussion while her ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed will preside over the meeting, he said.
The prime minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka on Sept 29.