Bangladesh has been elected chairman of the coordination council of the least developed countries (LDCs) after long and intense diplomatic maneuver for the last few months, reports UNB from New York.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed will discharge the functions of the chairman of the 50-member LDC forum. He formally took over the charge Friday from outgoing chairman and Foreign Minister of Benin Moussa Okanla.
In 2001, the coordination council of 50 LDCs was constituted. Benin was first elected for the post of chairman.
In 2006, the LDC ministerial meeting decided that the next chairman would be elected from Asia. Bangladesh and Nepal both aspired for the post, creating stalemate in electing the next chairman. Finally, the foreign ministers of 50 LDCs extended their total support for Bangladesh's candidature.
Assuming the chairmanship, Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said, the first challenge before them is implementation of the Brussels programme on the LDCs, adopted unanimously by the international community in 2001.
He hoped that the products from the LDC countries would get free access to the developed countries. He also said, alongside the fulfillment of the developed nations' commitments, targets for removing poverty and attaining economic progress should be fulfilled.
Iftekhar Chowdhury assured that Bangladesh would attach highest priority to uphold the interest of the LDCs.
He also expressed his happiness for being elected to lead the group of 50 LDCs. "It's a challenge too. I am aware of its immense responsibility, and I firmly believe that we have that ability," he said.
Bangladesh elected chairman of LDC coordination council
FE Team | Published: October 07, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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