Global dialogue on Rohingya crisis begins in Cox's Bazar ahead of UNGA conference

A three-day international conference on the Rohingya crisis opened in Cox’s Bazar today, bringing together global stakeholders to discuss long-term solutions to one of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. 

The event, titled “Stakeholders’ Dialogue: Takeaways to the High-Level Conference on the Rohingya Situation,” is being organized by Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the High Representative for the Rohingya Issue.
Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus is scheduled to attend the dialogue in Cox’s Bazar on August 25, underscoring the importance Dhaka attaches to international engagement on the crisis.
Bangladesh’s Burden and Appeal-
Bangladesh currently shelters over 1.3 million Rohingyas across the Cox’s Bazar camps and Bhasan Char island, making it the world’s largest refugee-hosting nation after Türkiye. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that while the country has shown “extraordinary compassion and responsibility” in accommodating the refugees since the 2017 mass exodus from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the situation is becoming unsustainable for its economy, environment, and host communities.
Dhaka is seeking stronger international support, both humanitarian and diplomatic, to pave the way for the Rohingyas’ safe and dignified repatriation to Myanmar. Officials hope the conference will generate actionable recommendations for the High-Level Conference on Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar, scheduled for September 30 in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Nearly 170 countries are expected to participate in that event.
Themes and Discussions-
The Cox’s Bazar dialogue features five thematic sessions focusing on:

• Humanitarian aid and closing funding gaps for refugee support
• Confidence-building measures to create conditions for repatriation
• Ensuring accountability for atrocities committed in Myanmar
• Exploring sustainable and time-bound solutions for the crisis
• Strengthening international cooperation to ease Bangladesh’s burden

What sets this dialogue apart is the direct inclusion of Rohingya voices. Men, women, and young people from the camps will participate in discussions, offering the global community a chance to hear their perspectives, aspirations, and expectations for the future.
International Participation-
The conference has drawn a wide range of participants including experts, diplomats, academics, international aid agencies, and representatives from around 40 countries. According to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, it will serve as one of several key preparatory events ahead of major international meetings on the Rohingya issue later this year, with additional conferences planned in Doha and New York.
Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar-
The humanitarian situation remains dire. UNHCR and other aid partners report that more than 150,000 Rohingyas have crossed into Bangladesh over the past 18 months alone, fleeing ongoing violence and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. With fresh conflict intensifying in Myanmar, prospects for voluntary return remain uncertain, heightening the urgency for international action.
Looking Ahead-
Bangladesh insists that repatriation remains the only sustainable solution, but stresses that it must be voluntary, safe, and dignified. The Cox’s Bazar dialogue is expected to produce a set of policy recommendations and commitments that will feed directly into the September high-level meeting, which Dhaka hopes will result in stronger global consensus and concrete action on both humanitarian support and political pressure on Myanmar.