United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has pledged full support for Bangladesh’s ongoing democratic transition, assuring solidarity with the country’s reform agenda during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in New York on Monday.

Professor Yunus, who heads the interim government, led a high-level delegation comprising Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Principal Secretary Siraj Uddin Miah, and SDG Coordinator Lamiya Morshed.

Discussions at UN headquarters spanned political reforms, preparations for the general election due in February, accountability for atrocities committed during the July uprising, protectionist tariff concerns in global trade, and the International Rohingya Conference set to open on Tuesday.

Briefing the Secretary-General, Professor Yunus underscored the interim government’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful vote. He warned that allies of the ousted regime were financing disinformation campaigns with misappropriated assets to destabilise the political process.

“They do not want an election in February. Certain international quarters are backing them,” he said, appealing for international support during what he described as a critical period.

Guterres reaffirmed the UN’s “strong support” for Bangladesh’s reform initiatives and praised Professor Yunus for his leadership in steering the nation through a difficult transition over the past 14 months. He also stressed the UN’s commitment to seeking a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis.

The Chief Adviser, in turn, thanked Guterres for convening the high-level International Rohingya Conference, describing it as vital to keeping the refugee crisis high on the global agenda and securing funds for essential humanitarian assistance.

SMS/