DHAKA, Dec 14, 2023 (BSS) - The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) called upon the international community not to lose sight of the protracted crises like the plight of the Rohingya. 

The call was made at the 2nd Global Refugee Forum (GRF) is being held in Geneva, Switzerland, a foreign ministry's press release said here today.
 
Foreign secretary Masud bin Momen attended the plenary session and other events on Wednesday while he is scheduled to deliver the national statement at the plenary session of the GRF on December 14.

The three-day Global Refugee Forum has brought together delegates from over a hundred countries, UN and international organizations, CSOs and INGOs to review implementation of pledges made at the last GRF 2019.
 
Delegates and stakeholders are holding debate on policies and pathways towards four key objectives of the Global Compact on Refugees - ease the pressures on host countries; enhance refugee self-reliance, expand access to third-country solutions; and support conditions in countries of origin for return in safety and dignity.

The opening session was attended, among others, by King of Jordan, Vice President of Colombia, Prime Minister of Uganda, Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs of French Republic, Foreign Minister of Japan and Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey. 

The Foreign Secretary also had a bilateral meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister of Finland Lauri Tierala on the sidelines of the GRF.
 
Two First Assistant Secretaries respectively from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Department of Home Affairs of Australia also met Foreign Secretary on the GRF sidelines. 

Bilateral as well as Rohingya issues were discussed in both the meetings.

A side event on the Rohingya situation organized by UNHCR is scheduled to be held today at the GRF.