DHAKA, Bangladesh

The United Nations Special Envoy of the Secretary-General on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, called Sunday for an early political settlement in Myanmar that would lead to the return of the Rohingya to their home country.

Bishop made the remarks while meeting with Md. Touhid Hossain, adviser for foreign affairs to the interim government of Bangladesh, at his office in the capital Dhaka.

Bangladesh has been hosting over 1.2 million Rohingya in southeastern Cox’s Bazar district since they fled a military crackdown in Myanmar in August 2017.

Bishop is on a two-day visit to Bangladesh and will visit Rohingya camps on Monday.

She stressed that she was working to keep the world’s focus on the issue and hoped that a UN conference proposed by the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, would generate enough momentum for meaningful efforts from the international community.

Hossain highlighted the critical role the UN and the special envoy to the UN secretary-general can play in bringing a lasting solution to the crisis impacting Bangladesh in various ways.

He shared deep concern that failing to bring a sustainable solution to the crisis will not only affect Myanmar and Bangladesh but also further destabilize the peace and security of the entire region.

Yunus said last month that around 100,000 more Rohingya crossed the country’s borders and took shelter in refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar amid the escalating conflict in Myanmar between the junta government and rebels, placing an additional burden on Bangladesh.

Enhanced pressure from the international community on Myanmar can lead to the end of the conflict and bring peace within Myanmar, said Hossain, adding that neighboring countries can play a significant role in rebuilding Myanmar and it would require everyone’s support.

The two agreed to work together to bring a lasting outcome from the UN conference to be held this year on the Rohingya and other minority-related issues.