Touhid warns of emerging security risks from Rohingya crisis at UN

Rohingya Crisis Emerging as New Security Threat, Touhid Warns at UN

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has cautioned that the protracted Rohingya crisis could soon escalate into a serious regional security threat if urgent steps are not taken to find a sustainable solution.

“Our humanitarian gesture has exposed us to immense socio-economic and environmental pressures, and the situation is now generating new security risks,” Hossain said.

He made the remarks while speaking at a high-level open debate at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) titled “The Impact of Poverty, Underdevelopment and Conflict on International Peace and Security” held Thursday at UN Headquarters in New York, according to a statement received in Dhaka.

For over eight years, Bangladesh has been sheltering 1.2 million Rohingya refugees who fled military persecution in Myanmar, Hossain noted. He stressed that long-standing crises often arise from systemic marginalization and urged the international community to renew efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of the Rohingya.

“This is not just a question of justice but is critical to eliminating a root cause of potential instability in the region,” he added.

Hossain also highlighted the global challenges posed by the intersection of poverty, underdevelopment, and conflict. “Addressing these challenges is not optional — it is essential for preserving international peace and security,” he said.

Reflecting on Bangladesh’s history, Hossain underscored the role of youth as drivers of positive change — from the Language Movement of 1952 to the Liberation War, and most recently, the student-led "Monsoon Revolution." He warned, however, of the dangers posed when young people are deprived of education and employment opportunities.

“The current global development and security landscape reflects deep-rooted inequities, many rooted in centuries of political domination and economic exploitation. Correcting these imbalances is our shared responsibility,” Hossain stated.

In this context, he reiterated Bangladesh's support for Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus's vision of “three zeros”: zero poverty, zero unemployment, and net zero carbon emissions. “These goals are not merely development targets — they form the foundation of sustainable peace and stability,” Hossain said.

Calling for stronger coordination among UN bodies, he emphasized the importance of aligning peacebuilding strategies with real development needs on the ground. He also highlighted the transformative potential of "social business," pioneered by Prof Yunus, which prioritizes people over profit, promoting inclusive growth and reducing grievances that could fuel conflict.

“Bangladesh remains committed to doing its part, and to working with all partners towards a more just, peaceful, and secure world,” he concluded.