UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Dhaka on a four-day visit to Bangladesh. The Rohingya issue is expected to be a priority during his visit.
He arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. He was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Adviser Towhid Hossain. Children presented flowers to the UN Secretary-General to welcome him.
Antonio Guterres' visit to Bangladesh is titled 'Ramadan Solidarity Visit'. Although this visit is in solidarity with the month of Ramadan, the Bangladesh government will specifically highlight the Rohingya situation before him.
Guterres will visit Cox's Bazar next Friday (March 14) with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to visit Rohingya camps. He will also talk to Rohingyas during his visit to the Rohingya camps.
The Secretary-General will visit the UN office in Dhaka next Saturday He will meet the National Consensus Commission and later with representatives of civil society. He will hold a press conference on the same day.
The UN Secretary-General will meet with Chied Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus during his visit to Dhaka. The ongoing reform issues in Bangladesh are likely to be discussed in the meeting.
The UN Secretary-General will fast during his visit in solidarity with the Muslim community. He will fast in solidarity as he has come to Dhaka during the holy month of Ramadan. Last year, the UN Secretary-General visited Egypt and Jordan. At that time, he fasted too out of respect for Muslims.
The UN Secretary-General is coming on this visit at the invitation of the Chied Advisor to the Interim Government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The Chief Advisor's Special Envoy on Rohingya and Priority Issues, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, met the UN Secretary-General in New York on February 7 and handed over the invitation sent by Dr. Yunus.
Bd-pratidin English/Lutful Hoque
