Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Foreign Minister of Bangladesh Dipu Moni stressed on Asian solidarity to collectively address common challenges faced by the Asia Co-operation Dialogue (ACD) members.
The foreign minister also called for forging a strong Asian voice at the forthcoming ‘COP-17 and Rio+20’.
She made the appeal while attending the ACD Breakfast Meeting in New York on Tuesday on the sideline of the 66th UN General Assembly, a foreign ministry press statement said on Wednesday.
While mentioning about Bangladesh’s experiences in social sector particularly in poverty alleviation and women empowerment, she said Bangladesh intends to host an event on poverty alleviation in future.
The foreign minister attended the High-level Meeting on Desertification, Land degradation and Drought in the context of the Sustainable Development and Poverty Eradication.
In her statement, she shared her concern about growing trend of desertification and climate change which will also affect many countries including Bangladesh.
“We should respond collectively based on equity and historical responsibility to save our planet. President of the General Assembly Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser also spoke on the occasion,” she added.
The foreign minister also attended t the “Ministerial Breakfast: Increase Peace through Mediation, co-hosted by the Foreign Ministers of Turkey and Finland.
While strongly supporting the initiative, she said that Bangladesh co-sponsored the resolution on “Strengthening the role of mediation in the peaceful settlement of disputes” from the principled foreign policy position espoused by the father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
In this regard, the foreign minister chronicled Bangladesh’s actions and initiatives both at home and at international level to bring peace and harmony. She also stressed on the role of regional and sub-regional organizations in this regard.
Dipu Moni had also a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic. She said both the countries could work together to gainfully cooperate in various areas.
She sought support of Serbia for its candidature for a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (2016-17), UN Human Right Council and Council of International Maritime Organisation (2011-2012).
The Serbian Minister assured that the candidature of Bangladesh will receive positive consideration by their Government. Both the Ministers conveyed invitations to visit their countries which they agreed to undertake, the statement added.
BBN/SSR/AD-21Sept11-4:33 pm (BST)