Mecca Pact: FM Says There Is No Reason to Be Worried

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Sunday reiterated that the “Mecca Pact” is an internal matter of the Muslim world and said there is no reason for anyone to be upset or worried about the agreement.

“This is not a matter of threatening. This is not a matter of attacking anyone. This is a matter of self-defence of our world Muslim family. So I do not see any reason for anyone to be upset or worried about this,” he said.

Khalilur made the remarks in an interview before leaving Dhaka for New York, where he will serve as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

He left Dhaka shortly after 8:20pm on Sunday on an official visit to New York for his UNGA presidency, which will run from August 31 to October 21. He is scheduled to transit through Dubai, a senior official said.

Asked about possible challenges in handling his responsibilities as foreign minister and UNGA president, Khalilur said diplomats deal with realities rather than hypothetical situations.

“Look, we are diplomats. We do not work on ‘ifs’. We work on reality,” he said.

The 81st UN General Assembly session will formally open on September 8, with world leaders expected to gather at UN Headquarters later this month for the annual high-level general debate.

Khalilur said Bangladesh would maintain good relations with all countries while firmly protecting its national interests, reiterating that the government’s foreign policy is guided by the principle of “Bangladesh First”.

“Bangladesh First” does not mean Bangladesh is alone, he said, adding that Dhaka would maintain relations with other countries while ensuring mutual interests.

The foreign minister said he did not anticipate any major difficulty in handling his two responsibilities simultaneously, noting that another state minister had been appointed to the Foreign Ministry and that they had been working closely together.

Rohingya crisis a priority

Khalilur said the Rohingya crisis and the broader issue of refugees and displaced people would be among his priorities as president of the UN General Assembly.

“Refugees, displaced people, these are part of my priorities. I said that during my election. So I will definitely have a strong eye on this,” he said.

The issue is expected to receive special attention during the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week beginning September 22.

“There will be a high-level side event and I will present my statement there as President of the General Assembly,” he said.

Khalilur reiterated Bangladesh’s longstanding position that repatriation is the only sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

“There is only one solution to this problem - repatriation,” he said.

He noted that Bangladesh’s position has gained broad international recognition, although Dhaka disagrees with some figures provided by Myanmar regarding the crisis.

“Not everything in diplomacy is done publicly. Most of it is done behind the scenes. And when there is a success or failure, you see it face to face,” he said.

Focus on rebuilding trust in UN

Assuming the UNGA presidency amid deepening geopolitical divisions, Khalilur has pledged to make consensus-building and restoring confidence in the UN central to his tenure.

“The UN will commence its ninth decade at a time when trust in our organisation is being tested on multiple fronts,” he told UN member states.

He said challenges facing the international community were undermining public trust and confidence in the UN’s ability to deliver on its commitments.

“As your president, I will dedicate myself to rebuilding trust, nurturing consensus, and opening space for good-faith negotiations that will lead to outcomes for all that are owned by all,” he said.

He has also pledged to serve as a bridge-builder among member states, engage all sides and work to find common ground amid widening divisions.

Khalilur said he would uphold the UN Charter and ensure geographical and gender balance within the Office of the President of the General Assembly while remaining attentive to the needs of smaller delegations.

Bangladesh to highlight Rohingya crisis

Bangladesh is expected to use the high-profile UNGA presidency to advance issues of national and regional importance, particularly the protracted Rohingya crisis.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam recently said Dhaka hopes to use its stronger diplomatic position at the UN to intensify international pressure on Myanmar and build momentum for a political and durable solution to the crisis.

“We are trying to involve the international community more,” she said, referring to a high-level UN session on the Rohingya crisis expected in September, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expected to participate.

Shama Obaed said Dhaka hopes the discussion will produce clearer international guidelines and stronger momentum towards resolving the crisis, which has become increasingly complex amid security and other challenges.

Bangladesh has repeatedly called for sustained international engagement to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified return of the Rohingya to Myanmar, while seeking greater global support to address the humanitarian and security dimensions of the crisis.