Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has called for stronger international cooperation, particularly from Norway, to help ensure a safe, dignified and sustainable solution to the prolonged Rohingya crisis affecting Bangladesh.
He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Håkon Arald Gulbransen at the Ministry of Home Affairs in Dhaka on Tuesday. While the meeting covered several areas of bilateral cooperation, the Rohingya issue remained a key focus of discussion.
The minister thanked Norway for its continued humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and appreciated the work of the Norwegian Refugee Council in supporting displaced Myanmar nationals living in Bangladesh. He said the prolonged presence of Rohingya refugees has created serious challenges for Bangladesh in terms of security, economic pressure and social management.
He urged Norway and the wider international community to play a more active role in creating conditions for their safe and voluntary repatriation to Myanmar. According to him, a sustainable solution is only possible if global partners maintain pressure and support coordinated diplomatic efforts.
Ambassador Gulbransen reaffirmed Norway’s commitment to continuing cooperation with Bangladesh in international forums, including the United Nations, particularly on humanitarian and refugee-related issues.
Beyond the Rohingya discussion, the meeting also touched on broader aspects of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, renewable energy cooperation and climate change initiatives. However, both sides acknowledged that resolving the Rohingya crisis remains a major humanitarian priority requiring sustained international engagement.
Officials from both sides, including Political Adviser at the Norwegian Embassy Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, Additional Secretary Dr Ziauddin Ahmed, Joint Secretary Rebecca Khan and Deputy Secretary Md Aminul Islam, were present at the meeting.
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