BD continues to work for regional, int'l peace: Envoy

Bangladesh has said the UN's conflict response strategies need to be kept within the broader framework for political solution to conflicts, reports UNB.

Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Masud Bin Momen said this while highlighting Bangladesh position as one of the highest troop contributors to the UN peacekeeping operations.

He was addressing an open debate on 'Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Addressing Complex Contemporary Challenges to International Peace and Security" at the UN Security Council recently, said the Bangladesh Mission on Friday.

The Ambassador said Bangladesh will continue to work towards realising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's vision for regional and international peace.

Referring to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech at the UN on 25th September 1974, Ambassador Masud said, "Imbued by our Father of the Nation's maiden pronouncement at the UN in 1974 'Friendship to all, malice to none' we are pursuing our foreign policy imperatives".

From Bangladesh's national perspective, ambassador Masud added, "We consider conflict prevention to be the first and foremost national responsibility. Our government has ensured active participation of all segments of the society, including women and youth in mitigating the potential drivers of conflict as well as elements with a propensity to act as 'spoilers'.

Ambassador Masud stressed the need for deciphering the early warning signs of conflict.

He said, "The failure or limitation in doing so was perhaps evident once again in the 'text book case of ethnic cleansing' we witnessed in Myanmar's Rakhine State in August this year".

The open debate was organised by Japan, President of the Security Council for the month of December. UN Secretary-General António Guterres also delivered his statement at the event.