News Desk

Bangladesh has reiterated its strong commitment to democratic governance, sustainable development, United Nations peacekeeping operations and multilateral cooperation during a high-level meeting with senior UN officials at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The discussions took place on May 14 between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting focused on Bangladesh’s domestic priorities, global peacekeeping role and ongoing humanitarian concerns, particularly the Rohingya crisis.

During the meeting, Shama Obaed Islam outlined the major priorities of Bangladesh’s newly elected government, emphasizing efforts to rebuild public confidence in state institutions and strengthen democratic governance. She said the government remains committed to enhancing transparency and accountability while improving the delivery of public services across the country.

The state minister also highlighted the administration’s determination to uphold human rights and the rule of law as part of broader institutional reforms aimed at ensuring inclusive and sustainable governance.

As part of the government’s socio-economic agenda, she pointed to several welfare-oriented initiatives designed to support vulnerable communities. Among them are the “Family Card” and “Farmers Card” programmes, which aim to provide assistance to low-income households and agricultural workers facing economic challenges. The initiatives are expected to strengthen social protection mechanisms and improve access to essential support services for disadvantaged populations.

On international issues, Bangladesh reiterated its longstanding support for multilateralism and its active engagement with the United Nations. Shama Obaed Islam underscored Bangladesh’s position as one of the world’s leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions and stressed the importance of maintaining peacekeeping mandates despite ongoing financial pressures facing the United Nations system.

She also called for increased participation of women and young people in post-conflict peacebuilding initiatives, noting that inclusive approaches are critical to achieving long-term peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.

The Rohingya crisis also featured prominently in the discussions. The state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s position that the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingya people to Myanmar remains the only viable long-term solution to the crisis. She urged the international community to continue its diplomatic and humanitarian engagement to support both the displaced population and host communities in Bangladesh.

Khaled Khiari praised Bangladesh for its significant contributions to UN peacekeeping missions over the years and commended the country’s efforts to advance women’s participation in peace and security initiatives. He also acknowledged Bangladesh’s constructive role in promoting international cooperation and regional stability through its continued engagement with the United Nations.

The meeting reflected Bangladesh’s broader diplomatic efforts to strengthen its global partnerships while advancing domestic reforms and addressing pressing humanitarian challenges through multilateral cooperation.