Desk News

Bangladesh’s interim government has issued a stern warning to the global community that the unresolved Rohingya crisis could soon escalate into a grave threat to regional peace and security unless urgent international efforts are undertaken. Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain delivered this cautionary message while addressing a high-level open debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in New York on Thursday, June 19.

Speaking at the UNSC debate titled “The Impact of Poverty, Underdevelopment, and Conflict on International Peace and Security,” Hossain outlined the socio-economic and security burden Bangladesh has shouldered since 2017, when more than a million Rohingya fled military persecution in Myanmar and sought refuge in Cox’s Bazar.

“Our humanitarian act has put us in immense socio-economic and environmental challenges; and the situation is now posing new security risks,” said Hossain. He noted that Bangladesh currently hosts over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees, calling the crisis one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian disasters.

The foreign adviser warned that unless the international community steps up efforts to ensure a voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar, the region risks further destabilization. “This is not only a matter of justice but also vital for preventing a root cause of potential instability in our region,” he added.

Highlighting that protracted crises are often born from systemic marginalization, Hossain called for sustained global attention and coordinated diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the suffering of the Rohingya community. He stressed that their continued statelessness and confinement in refugee camps without access to education or employment opportunities could breed frustration, radicalization, and long-term security threats.

Throughout his speech, the adviser also underscored the broader global context in which the Rohingya crisis is unfolding – a world grappling with poverty, inequality, and conflict. “If we are to preserve international peace and security, addressing these challenges is not optional – it is essential,” Hossain told the Security Council.

Referring to Bangladesh’s own historical experiences, Hossain said that the country has always viewed its youth as agents of change. From the 1952 Language Movement and the 1971 Liberation War to more recent movements like the “Monsoon Revolution,” young people have consistently played a critical role in resisting injustice and inequality, he said.

He warned, however, that the energy of youth can become a double-edged sword when education and employment are denied. “We are deeply aware of the consequences when young people are left behind,” he cautioned.

In a more hopeful vision for the future, Hossain advocated for a global development agenda aligned with the “three zeros” – zero poverty, zero unemployment, and net zero carbon emissions – a vision proposed by Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. “These are not just development goals – they are foundational to lasting peace and stability,” he observed.

Hossain also promoted the concept of “social business,” another initiative pioneered by Prof Yunus, as a global model for inclusive development. “By prioritizing people over profits, such enterprises boost inclusive growth and reduce grievances that would otherwise lead to unrest,” he said, suggesting that social business could offer replicable models for peacebuilding around the world.

The adviser emphasized that tackling today’s complex global crises requires better coordination across the three pillars of the UN – peace and security, human rights, and development. He called for stronger collaboration between the Security Council, ECOSOC, and the Peacebuilding Commission to ensure that peacebuilding efforts address actual development realities on the ground.

Despite the growing burden, Hossain affirmed Bangladesh’s continued commitment to contributing to global peace efforts and international cooperation. “Bangladesh will remain committed to doing its part, and to working alongside all concerned in pursuit of a more just, peaceful, and secure world,” he concluded.

As the Rohingya crisis continues to fester with little progress on repatriation and dwindling international funding, Hossain’s message served as a sobering reminder that the cost of inaction may extend far beyond the borders of Bangladesh.