Economy
Protracted crisis in Myanmar poses growing risks with national, regional security implications for Bangladesh: Prof Yunus
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus today (27 September) called for creating pathways for the Rohingyas to return to their ancestral home in Rakhine State, with safety and rights.
“Looking at the evolving ground situation in Myanmar, Bangladesh is ready to work with the international community to create an environment for dignified and sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland,” he said drawing global attention to the Rohingya crisis.
Delivering his speech at the UNGA in Bangla, the Nobel Peace laureate said the protracted crisis in Myanmar also poses growing risks with national and regional security implications for Bangladesh, both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.
Seven years on, he said, Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas on humanitarian ground, incurring significant social-economic-environmental costs.
“We remain committed to supporting the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar in Bangladesh,” Prof Yunus said.
He said they need continued support of the international community towards the Rohingyas in carrying out the humanitarian operations and their sustainable repatriation.
Equally important is to ensure justice for the grave human rights violations committed against the Rohingyas, through the ongoing accountability processes in the ICJ and the ICC, he said.
Bangladesh recognises and appreciates the efforts of the secretary-general and the United Nations system in creating a conducive environment for Rohingyas so that they can lead a free and dignified life.
Maintaining Peace
Bangladesh views maintaining peace and addressing conflicts is central to peoples’ progress.
“During the recent Revolution, our valiant armed forces have once again shown their commitment to peace by standing firmly with the people in fulfilling their aspirations for freedom during a most difficult time in our history,” Prof Yunus said.
This was possible thanks to their commitment to place human rights at the core of peacekeeping, he said.
“Bangladesh remains equally committed to peace-building, from the inception of the UN Peace-building Commission,” Prof Yunus said, adding that they look forward to promoting and enhancing Bangladesh’s value-driven contributions to the UN peacekeeping operations.
As the third largest troop-contributing country, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served across 63 Missions in 43 countries, to date.
About 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers had laid their lives, from Bosnia to Congo.
“We do hope that Bangladesh defence forces would continue to be called upon in the future UN peace operations, regardless of the challenges or circumstances,” said Prof Yunus.
Genocide in Gaza
In a world of poly-crisis, wars and conflicts are leading to erosion of rights and widespread abuses, Prof Yunus said.
The genocide in Gaza continues unabated despite global concerns and condemnation, he said.
“The situation in Palestine just does not concern the Arabs or Muslims at large rather the entire humanity,” he said.
“Palestinians are no expendable people. All those responsible for the crimes against humanity against the Palestinian people must be held accountable,” said the chief adviser.
Bangladesh calls for an immediate and complete ceasefire to protect the Palestinian people from the brutalities, particularly against the children and women.
The international community, including the UN, needs to act in earnest to implement the two-state solution that remains the only path to bring lasting peace in the Middle East, he said.
The two-and-a-half-year-long war in Ukraine has claimed far too many lives, Prof Yunus said.
The war has impacted far and wide, even lending deeper economic implications in Bangladesh.
“We would urge both sides to pursue dialogue to resolve the differences and end the war,” said the chief adviser.
Bangladesh has sought financial assistance from the World Bank to help meet rising energy costs amid global economic uncertainty, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Monday.
Speaking to reporters in Bangkok on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, the minister said discussions with the World Bank were underway on possible financial support. Work was also progressing on a proposed framework agreement between the two sides, he added.
The minister expressed hope that the World Bank would continue to support Bangladesh as the country navigates mounting economic challenges.
He said global instability had increased the financial burden on Bangladesh’s energy sector, making additional support important to help manage the rising costs. According to the minister, the World Bank had responded positively to discussions on possible assistance.
Bangladesh’s engagement with the lender should go beyond existing funding arrangements and ongoing development projects, he said, stressing the need for broader cooperation to address the economic pressures arising from global uncertainty and higher energy expenditure.
Framework Agreement Under Discussion
Bangladesh and the World Bank are also working towards a framework agreement to strengthen their partnership, the minister said.
Discussions and related procedural work are continuing, with further steps dependent on progress in negotiations and agreement between the two sides.
The minister also emphasised the need to align development initiatives supported by international partners with the government’s election manifesto and national development priorities.
He said coordination between government policies and external assistance would be important in advancing Bangladesh’s economic objectives.
Bangladesh’s IMF Engagement Also in Focus
The possibility of a new lending programme with the IMF is another issue of interest for Bangladesh during the annual meetings, scheduled for October 12-18.
The meetings bring together finance ministers, central bank governors and senior officials from international financial institutions to discuss global economic developments, financing needs and development priorities.
For Bangladesh, a potential new IMF programme could provide additional external financing and support efforts to maintain macroeconomic stability. However, the size, terms and timeline of any new arrangement have not been formally confirmed.
Rising Global Costs Put Pressure on Bangladesh
Geopolitical tensions, volatile energy markets, inflation and higher borrowing costs continue to pose challenges for economies worldwide, particularly those heavily dependent on imports.
For Bangladesh, higher energy import bills can increase pressure on foreign exchange reserves and complicate government expenditure planning.
While financing from international development partners could help ease some of these pressures, sustained economic stability also depends on stronger revenue collection, improvements in the banking sector, more efficient public spending and a business environment conducive to investment.
Bangladesh’s participation in the annual meetings is therefore focused not only on securing financial assistance but also on strengthening development partnerships and exploring ways to address immediate economic pressures while pursuing longer-term development goals.
The outcome of the discussions with the World Bank, along with any progress towards a new IMF lending arrangement, will be important in determining the extent of additional external support available to Bangladesh.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
