Bangladesh Calls for ASEAN's Help in Rohingya Repatriation at Oslo Forum 

Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shahriar Alam, has urged ASEAN and other regional countries to play a more active role in the safe and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees. The plea was made at the Oslo Forum 2023, a significant international gathering of diplomats and conflict mediators hosted by Norway's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Alam emphasised the importance of a peaceful transition to a civilian administration in Myanmar, urging an end to armed conflicts and the initiation of elections. He urged ASEAN and the wider international community to use their influence to help bring this about.

The two-day event, which took place from 13-14 June, brought together over 100 international mediators and experts. Participants engaged in sharing perspectives and assessing the state of mediation and peacemaking in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, escalating conflicts, and the effects of climate change.

In the open discussions, the delegates debated various geopolitical hotspots, including the war in Ukraine, conflicts in Sudan, Yemen, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Somalia and Ethiopia. The discussions also looked at ways to prevent, interrupt or end conflicts.

The event was inaugurated by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and saw attendance from foreign ministers of Norway, Indonesia and Colombia, and the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. State Minister Shahriar Alam was present at the invitation of Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt.

As part of his visit to Oslo, Minister Alam held bilateral meetings with Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Bjørnar Selnes Skjæran, and State Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Erling Rimestad.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden, Norway and Finland, Mehdi Hasan, and Director General (West Europe and EU) of Foreign Ministry, Kazi Russel Pervez, accompanied the State Minister during the visit.