Bangladesh urges global action on climate change, Rohingya crisis at commonwealth meeting

At the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in London, Bangladesh called for stronger multilateral action on climate change, economic uncertainty and the Rohingya crisis while holding key bilateral diplomatic engagements.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman has called for stronger global cooperation to address climate change, economic uncertainties and the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis during a key Commonwealth ministerial meeting in London.

Rahman made the appeal at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers’ Meeting (CFAMM) 2026 held at Lancaster House yesterday, according to a statement issued by the Bangladesh High Commission in London.

Delegates from 56 Commonwealth countries attended the meeting, which reviewed major global challenges and discussed priorities ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting scheduled for November this year.

Leading the Bangladesh delegation, Rahman was accompanied by Prime Minister’s Adviser for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir along with other officials.

In his remarks, the foreign minister stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation at a time when the global rules based system is under increasing pressure.

Participants at the meeting discussed a range of international challenges and raised concerns about the weakening of international norms as well as broader strains on the global system.

During the afternoon session Rahman highlighted the ongoing Rohingya crisis, describing the burden Bangladesh continues to bear by hosting more than two lakh Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar.

He warned that Bangladesh is still facing new arrivals while international humanitarian assistance for the refugees has been gradually declining.

The foreign minister urged sustained global engagement to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar.

Rahman also referred to Bangladesh’s recent national election, describing it as free, fair, participatory and peaceful.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is strengthening Commonwealth values related to good governance.

The foreign minister thanked the Commonwealth Secretariat for sending a Commonwealth Observer Group to monitor the election across Bangladesh.

On the sidelines of the meeting Rahman and Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir held several bilateral meetings with foreign representatives.

They met Yvette Cooper, the United Kingdom’s secretary of state for foreign affairs, to discuss bilateral issues and prospects for future cooperation.

Other meetings included discussions with Robert Oliphant, parliamentary secretary of Canada, Alvin Botes, South Africa’s deputy minister for international relations and cooperation, Chet Greene, foreign minister of Antigua and Barbuda, and Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, foreign minister of Ghana.

During these engagements the foreign minister also sought support for Bangladesh’s candidacy for the president of the United Nations General Assembly and received assurances of backing from several counterparts.

Rahman is scheduled to attend the Commonwealth Day celebration at Westminster Abbey and a reception at St James’s Palace today.