Visiting former secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), Ban Ki-moon, said a political solution is necessary to bring an end to the Rohingya crisis. He also urged the Myanmar government to be more generous and compassionate towards the Rohingya people so that they can return home safely.

He made these remarks before journalists after holding a meeting with Bangladesh foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel in the capital.  Ban Ki-moon said: “The Rohingya issue is one of the very sad and tragic situations. As the former secretary-general of the UN, I have been urging the Myanmar government to be more compassionate towards the Rohingya refugees.” “There should be a political solution. I hope the Bangladesh government has concentrated on the Myanmar government. But the Myanmar government should take much more generous, compassionate support to these people so that they can really return to their home safely,” he added.

Lauding Bangladesh’s humanitarian support to Rohingyas, Ban Ki-moon said: “I am very much grateful for the humanitarian support of the Bangladesh government. But the Bangladesh government cannot do it alone. I am asking United Nations humanitarian agencies and other non-governmental agencies to offer support for refugees.”

He also said that he visited the Rohingya camps here last June. “It was hard to describe that over 1.1 million Rohingya refugees have taken shelter here. It was hard to describe what I felt. I was so sad,” he added.

When asked what else was discussed, he said: “We have talked about our mutual concerns, including climate change.”  

“I have seen the strong commitment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in dealing with global challenges

like climate change, implementation of

sustainable development goals (SDGs), empowering women and youth. These are major global challenges. Global solutions will help address all these challenges,” Ban Ki-moon said.   

He also said Bangladesh is a great example of combating climate change, urging others to follow the example of Bangladesh. “When it comes to climate change, I have told the world that Bangladesh is a great example of investing wisely in adaptation. Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to climate impact,” he said.   

Citing Bangladesh’s example, Ban Ki-moon said, “During the cyclone in 1970, more than 300,000 people died while 20 years later, in the 1990s, more than 100,000 people. But I was very pleased to see that in the annual cyclone this year and last year, less than 10 people died. Of course, even one person’s death will be very tragic. Thus, we see the huge difference. That’s why I ask all other countries to follow the example of Bangladesh.”

It has been a very wise investment in adaptations, including in embankment of rivers, investing in all these disaster-related issues, he noted.

Ban Ki-moon, as the chairman of the Global Commission on Adaptation, has invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the climate change adaptation summit next year. “After a very successful climate action summit in September at the UN convened by UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, the Global Commission on Adaptation under the leadership of the government of the Netherlands is going to convene a climate adaptation summit on the issue on October 27 next year. I have invited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to participate in the summit,” he added.   

The visiting former secretary-general said: “Bangladesh is doing excellent and I hope we will continue to work together.”  

Foreign minister Abdul Momen said: “We have talked about the upcoming climate vulnerable forum. They have offered the presidency to Bangladesh. Currently, the Marshall Islands is the president of the forum. We have talked about the climate change summit in October next year.”  He also said Ban Ki-moon will be coming to Bangladesh in March next year to attend Bangabandhu’s 100th birth anniversary. “He agreed to come that time,” he added.  

“We also talked about the Rohingya issue. We have also talked about the SDGs, especially poverty reduction, and how Bangladesh is doing well,” he added.  

Ban Ki-moon came to Dhaka to attend the 13th convocation ceremony of BRAC University in the capital. He was also

scheduled to leave Dhaka yesterday.