DHAKA, Sept 16 (BSS) – OIC Secretary General Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed pledged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s firm support for the rapid repatriation of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar, addressing Bangladesh’s longstanding humanitarian challenge.
The pledge was made during a meeting in Jeddah with Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the OIC, Ambassador MJH Jabed, who presented a congratulatory letter from Foreign Minister and UN General Assembly President Dr Khalilur Rahman.
Ambassador Jabed conveyed the Bangladeshi foreign minister’s sincere wishes and reiterated the government’s full backing for the OIC chief’s responsibilities, emphasizing Bangladesh’s commitment to a durable solution for the displaced Rohingya.
Ahmed lauded Bangladesh’s democratic transition and expressed optimism that the country’s development trajectory would gain new momentum under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership.
He also highlighted the contributions of the Islamic University of Technology, an OIC subsidiary hosted in Bangladesh, noting its role in advancing science and technology education across member states.
The two officials identified potential cooperation areas such as contract farming, healthcare, science and technology, hospitality, and education, suggesting joint projects that could benefit both Bangladesh and the broader OIC community.
Bangladesh’s envoy thanked the Secretary General for his positive outlook toward the nation and its people, stating that Dhaka looks forward to close collaboration with the OIC Secretariat on a range of cross‑cutting issues in the coming years.
Why it matters
The pledge adds diplomatic momentum to Bangladesh’s efforts to repatriate Rohingya refugees.