A high-level international conference on the situation of Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims and other minorities begins Tuesday at the United Nations Headquarters’ General Assembly Hall.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, said representatives from at least 75 countries and organizations are expected to attend the conference, including several heads of state and government.

The conference will start at 10:00 a.m. local time (8:00 p.m. Bangladesh time).

The UN-organized event aims to strengthen political support for addressing the Rohingya crisis, maintain international attention, review the overall situation, and initiate actions to tackle root causes, including human rights issues.

Ensuring safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya will be a key focus.

Prof Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, will deliver a speech at the inaugural session.

Turkey will represent the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), while Kuwait will speak on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Ahead of the conference, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop, and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell met with the Chief Adviser on Monday at a hotel to discuss various aspects of the Rohingya crisis.

Later, in a briefing to reporters at the hotel, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said discussions focused on the civil war situation in Rakhine State, roadmaps for Rohingya repatriation, increased funding for refugees living in camps, and education and skills development for Rohingya children to prepare them as productive human resources.