Bangladesh and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation on international humanitarian law and humanitarian action, including assistance to Rohingyas and host communities.
The commitment came during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir and ICRC Head of Delegation in Bangladesh Nicolas Fleury at the foreign ministry here, said a ministry press release.
Kobir appreciated the ICRC's longstanding humanitarian engagement in Bangladesh, particularly its contributions to promoting International Humanitarian Law (IHL), humanitarian assistance, disaster response, capacity-building and emergency support.
He reaffirmed Bangladesh's firm commitment to the Geneva Conventions and IHL, underscoring the important role of the National IHL Committee.
The state minister highlighted Bangladesh's contribution to promoting IHL globally, including as co-chair of the "IHL and Peace" workstream under the Global IHL Initiative.
He said the government was considering participation at an appropriate level in the "High-Level Conference on Humanity in War", scheduled to be held in Jordan in December this year.
Discussing the Rohingya situation, Kobir appreciated the ICRC's humanitarian assistance to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and host communities in Cox's Bazar.
He urged the organization to strengthen its advocacy for the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, reiterating its essential role in global humanitarian affairs and international humanitarian law.
Fleury appreciated Bangladesh's continued cooperation and reaffirmed the ICRC's readiness to further support IHL capacity-building and humanitarian efforts in the country.
He also expressed commitment to further consolidating the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the ICRC.