Dhaka, 16 September 2026 – The newly elected Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, told Bangladesh that the OIC will back efforts for the swift repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.
The assurance was given during a meeting in Jeddah with Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Ambassador MJH Jabed, who also delivered a congratulatory letter from Foreign Minister and UN General Assembly President Dr Khalilur Rahman.
Cheikh Ahmed warned that the protracted Rohingya crisis could jeopardise regional security and cause immense suffering if not properly addressed, underscoring the humanitarian and stability stakes for Bangladesh and its neighbours.
In his remarks, the OIC chief welcomed Bangladesh’s recent democratic transition and expressed optimism that the country’s development would gain new momentum under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership.
He highlighted the contribution of the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), an OIC subsidiary based in Bangladesh, noting plans to expand its research and innovation capacity, particularly in artificial intelligence.
The two sides discussed broader cooperation among OIC member states, identifying sectors such as contract farming, healthcare, science and technology, hospitality and education for joint programmes and projects.
Ambassador Jabed reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to work closely with the OIC Secretariat on cross‑cutting issues in the coming years, signalling a deepening partnership.
The meeting concluded with a mutual pledge to pursue concrete initiatives that will facilitate the safe and dignified return of Rohingya refugees while strengthening regional security and development ties.
Why it matters
Accelerating Rohingya repatriation reduces humanitarian strain and lowers regional security risks for Bangladesh and its neighbours.