DHAKA: Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali categorically said that the government strongly believes that democracy and an inclusive and participatory democracy that empowers people at the core can ensure sustainable peace, security and development in a post-2015 era.

He came up with the observation at a High-level Forum on the Culture of Peace at the United Nations in New York Tuesday. 

Bangladesh tabled the UN General Assembly Resolution on a Culture of Peace in 1997, and since then continues to steer this Resolution in the UNGA every year.

The High-level Forum was convened by the President of the 68th UN General Assembly Ambassador John W. Ashe who appreciated Bangladesh’s lead role in spearheading the UNGA Resolution on a Culture of Peace. The Opening Session was also addressed by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and the 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate LeymahGwobee of Liberia.

In this Statement at the high-level segment, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister said, “Development and progress pacify the challenges posed to democracy, human rights and good governance, among others. So, the best bet to neutralize threats to peace is adoption of development policies based on social justice and consciously nurturing a culture of peace”.

He also spoke on the values and ethos that guides Bangladesh to remind the world every year “to believe in peace, say ‘no’ to war and give peace a chance”.

Referring to the ongoing work at the UN on the post-2015 development agenda, Mahmood Ali expressed his satisfaction at the inclusion of the “Culture of Peace” in the final report of the UN Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals.

The Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN in New York Ambassador A. K. M. Abdul Momen will Chair the Closing Session of the High-level Forum.

BDST: 1546 HRS, SEP 10, 2014