Momen urges UN to repatriat Rohingyas

Industry Desk: Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen yesterday urged the United Nations (UN) to take ‘practical actions’ to ensure early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar.
He made the urge while the newly appointed UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis presenting her credentials to him at the State Guest House Padma here.
Lewis handed over a letter from UN Secretary General António Guterres, thereby officially entering into her new role by succeeding Mia Seppo, a foreign ministry press release said.
During the meeting, the minister emphasized the need for increasing efforts from the UN and other stakeholders to maintain worldwide awareness about the plight of the Rohingya people.
Momen also underscored the importance of starting the work of UN bodies in Bhasan Char following up the signing of MoU between the Government of Bangladesh and UNHCR in last October.

Welcoming Lewis to Bangladesh, the foreign minister expressed deep appreciation for long-standing cooperation between Government of Bangladesh and the UN in diverse fields ranging from development, peace and women empowerment.

Lewis lauded the Government for its stellar performance in all developmental aspects.

They also discussed other issues of importance, such as the need for global climate financing and Bangladesh’s crucial role in UN Peacekeeping operations.

Momen expressed Bangladesh’s readiness to send more peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping missions.

Gwyn Lewis, an Irish national, has been working with the UN for around 20 years where her prior assignments include working as the Director of UNRWA Affairs (UN Relief and Works Agency) in Palestine, the release added.