Peacebuilding Program

Special Session on the Rohingya Crisis at the Bengal Delta Conference

Turning Regional Voices into Policy Recommendations – Dialogue with Diverse Stakeholders

December 4, 2025

4 Min. Read

Panel discussion during the special session at the Bengal Delta Conference 2025

On August 30, 2025, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted a special session titled “The Rohingya Refugee Crisis: Regional Security Risks, Repatriation Pathways, and Livelihood Challenges” during the Bengal Delta Conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Rohingya refugee crisis is among the world’s most protracted humanitarian emergencies. Today, more than 1.1 million Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh, with approximately 77% being women and children. The situation has worsened due to limited access to education, shortages of food and healthcare, and a 70% reduction in international aid in 2024.

Complexity of the Crisis – Beyond Humanitarian Assistance

Regional Security Risks: Youth unemployment and lack of education heighten the risk of radicalization, human trafficking, and transnational organized crime.
Social and Environmental Impact: Hosting the world’s largest refugee camp has triggered land and job competition with host communities, while environmental issues—such as disruption of elephant migration routes—are emerging.
Digital Exclusion: Refugees lack legal access to mobile phones and the internet, leaving young people excluded from education and innovation opportunities, creating a ‘lost generation’ risk.

Key Discussion Points

The session brought together Bangladeshi politicians, academics, diplomats, and international policy analysts. Key perspectives included:

Diplomatic Perspective: Former Ambassador to USA Tariq A. Karim emphasized that ‘the root of the problem lies in post-partition identity politics,’ calling for stronger regional diplomacy.

Political Perspective: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Shama Obaed asserted that ‘there can be no repatriation without accountability for Myanmar’s military,’ urging international legal action.

Academic Perspective: Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan warned that ‘livelihood support has become mere survival training due to funding shortages.’

Global Displacement Perspective: Professor of Arizona State University Dr. Faheem Hussain, linking the Rohingya experience to global displacement trends, emphasized that the digital divide has become a silent catastrophe. Without access to internet, mobile technology, or education, Rohingya youth risk becoming a lost generation, locked out of opportunity and innovation.

International Cooperation Perspective: Dr. Emadul Islam, Senior Research Fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, stressed the need for a comprehensive approach combining regional diplomacy and global cooperation, anchored in justice, accountability, and dignified repatriation.

U.S. Policy Perspective: Mr. Michael Kugelman, U.S. foreign policy analyst, urged balance in framing the crisis: “Over securitizing the Rohingya crisis may invite misguided interventions, while neglecting the security dimension risks losing international attention.” He praised Bangladesh’s leadership in international forums, including UNGA, but stressed that humanitarian imperatives—justice, education, and dignity—must anchor all policy responses.

Future Outlook

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation will continue to strengthen regional diplomacy and international cooperation to achieve a comprehensive solution to the Rohingya crisis. Through research, dialogue, and policy advocacy, we aim to build a sustainable future for both refugees and host communities.

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Special Session on the Rohingya Crisis at the Bengal Delta Conference

Turning Regional Voices into Policy Recommendations – Dialogue with Diverse Stakeholders

Complexity of the Crisis – Beyond Humanitarian Assistance

Key Discussion Points

Future Outlook

Related Resources

Related Video

Related Articles

Latest News

Introducing SPF Reports on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

Reports on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the Philippines

Soft Recognition: Enabling Participation of Self-Determination Groups in Intergovernmental Organisations

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