UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has arrived in Dhaka for a four-day visit to Bangladesh. 

The primary focus of his visit is expected to be the Rohingya issue.

Guterres landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on Thursday (March 13) afternoon, where he was welcomed by Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain. 

Children presented flowers to the UN chief as a gesture of goodwill.

The visit is titled "Ramadan Solidarity Visit," as it coincides with the holy month of Ramadan. While the visit expresses solidarity with the Muslim community, the Bangladesh government is expected to highlight the Rohingya situation during his stay.

Guterres on Friday (March 14) will travel to Cox’s Bazar to visit the Rohingya camps with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus. 

He is scheduled to meet with the refugees and discuss their situation.

The UN Secretary-General on Saturday (March 15), will visit the UN office in Dhaka and hold meetings with the National Consensus Commission and representatives of civil society. He is also scheduled to hold a press conference that day.

During his visit, Guterres is expected to meet with Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to discuss ongoing reforms in Bangladesh.

As a mark of solidarity with the Muslim community, the UN Secretary-General will observe fasting during his visit, in line with his previous gestures of respect during Ramadan in Egypt and Jordan last year.

Guterres' visit follows an invitation from Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was represented by Special Envoy Dr. Khalilur Rahman at the UN in New York, where he delivered Yunus' invitation letter to the Secretary-General on February 7.

BDST: 1829 HRS, March 13, 2025
MSK