NEW YORK: Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni categorically said that Bangladesh would continue to play its leadership role in upholding global peace and non-violence.

“Bangladesh would continue to play its leadership role in upholding global peace and non-violence at the UN being the flag bearer in peace-centric UN resolutions including  a culture of peace and non-violence (1997 -2013) , International Mother Language Day  (1999 ) and    people’s empowerment and development (2011)  , under the visionary diplomatic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” she said.

The minister came up with the observation at the UN General Assembly High- Level Forum on the Culture of Peace being held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on September 6.

Dr Dipu Moni also underscored the political philosophy of the present government guided by Bangabandhu’s peace centric foreign policy dictum and highlighted the present government’s achievements in peaceful resolution of longstanding land boundary and maritime dispute with immediate neighbours ,India and Myanmar.

President of the 67th United Nations General Assembly Vuk Jeremic and high-level participants from other member states, peace practitioners and eminent members of the civil societies, NGOs praised Bangladesh for its pioneering role in mobilizing the global movement on “Culture of Peace”.  

“I am grateful to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for its leading role in promoting the Culture of Peace initiative from its inception” said the 67th UNGA President.

This commendation comes as a much valued recognition by the United Nations of Bangladesh’s proactive foreign policy and peace diplomacy at the UN.

Apart from speaking at the high level forum Dr Dipu Moni also presided over the High level segment as a rare honour and recognition of Bangladesh’s diplomatic role in building partnership with the UN among member states, civil societies and with other stakeholders to peace.

The High- Level Forum on a Culture of Peace (CoP) has been convened by the 67th President of the General Assembly as mandated by UN resolution 67/106.

This high-level forum is particularly politically and diplomatically significant for Bangladesh and the present government as Bangladesh pioneered the CoP resolution in the UNGA in 1997 during Awami League’s first tenure in the office.

During the same period Bangladesh was instrumental in adopting the “Decade” and a “Programme of Action (PoA)” on COP (2001-2010) and continues to table this flagship resolution till date.  

Cultural Affairs Minister Abul Kalam Azad also participated in the High Level Forum of CoP and spoke as an eminent panelist on the role of culture and media for a new global civilization.

In his presentation the Cultural Affairs Minister highlighted the importance of cultural diversity, peace education and mobilizing the youth through social and electronic media in fostering a culture of peace.  

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Jan Eliasson, Ambassador Anwarul K Chowdhury, former Under-Secretary General of UN, Patriarch Irinej of Serbia, representatives of UN Women, UNESCO and spiritual leaders, and many eminent peace activists participated in this high level forum of the UN General Assembly.

BDST: 1204 HRS, SEP 07, 2013
AKA/MMK/BSK