Reforms: Guterres holds talks with political leaders, Consensus Building Commission

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday joined a roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders.

UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and representatives of other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinental.

Guterres will join another dialogue with youths and a meeting with members of civil society between 2:15pm and 5:15pm at the same venue, an official told UNB quoting his programme schedule.

Earlier in the morning, UN Secretary-General Guterres officially opened a new "UN House in Bangladesh" in the city.

Industries, Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan; Environment, Forests and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present.

The UN chief visited the new UN Common Premises to view the 50th anniversary photo exhibition and joined the official UN flag-raising.

The visit followed a meeting with UN Country Team Bangladesh.

Guterres and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain are scheduled to attend a joint press briefing at 5:20pm at Hotel InterContinental.

In Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp on Friday, Guterres said they cannot accept that the international community forgets about the Rohingyas and his voice will speak loud to the international community saying we need urgently, more support because this population badly needs that support to be able to live in dignity here in Bangladesh.