Khalilur reaffirms Bangladesh's commitment to dialogue at Asean Regional Forum

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman today reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to dialogue, multilateralism and a rules-based international order while addressing the 33rd Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting in Manila, Philippines.

He expressed appreciation for the support extended by participating countries for Bangladesh's candidature for the presidency of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

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Against the backdrop of unprecedented geopolitical challenges, Khalilur said sustained dialogue and diplomacy remain the most effective means of addressing global and regional security concerns.

He called on all states to exercise maximum restraint in maritime disputes, uphold international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and resolve differences through peaceful dialogue.

On the Rohingya crisis, Khalilur said Bangladesh has shouldered the humanitarian responsibility of hosting more than 1.3 million forcibly displaced Rohingyas for nearly a decade.

"The Rohingya are not stateless by circumstance; they are stateless by design. It is a political failure demanding a political solution," he said, urging ARF participants to support efforts to create conditions in Myanmar conducive to the safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas.

He said the crisis has fuelled transborder crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking and illicit arms flows.

On climate security, Khalilur highlighted Bangladesh's vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters. As co-chair of the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Disaster Relief, he said Bangladesh would continue to advocate greater regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and early warning systems.

He also highlighted the opportunities and risks associated with artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, calling for closer regional cooperation to address cybersecurity threats, disinformation and the misuse of advanced technologies. He proposed exploring a regional technology governance framework tailored to the region's geopolitical and developmental realities.

"Bangladesh will always choose dialogue over division, partnership over polarisation," he said.