Statement by the Hon'ble Foreign Minister at the commemorative function on the United Nations Day,
24 October 2005

Hon'ble President,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamu- alaikum and good evening to you all.

It is indeed a great honour for me to be here this evening on the occasion of the United Nations Day. I would like to express my appreciation to the Heads of UN missions in Dhaka for organizing this commemorative ceremony.

The United Nations was born on this day sixty years ago. The founding fathers were inspired by a vision that it would serve in bringing about a just and peaceful world. The basic objectives of the UN was to work towards collective security and to "promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom".

The UN faced formidable challenges at its inception. The world was beset by cold war and superpower rivalry immediately after the establishment of UN. A bitter race for nuclear weapons supremacy kept global peace hanging in the balance. The post cold war period brought daunting challenges of ethnic and regional conflicts. But despite everything, UN kept on working with its mission to serve the humanity in the best possible way.
During the past six decades, the UN has played a commendable role in peace keeping, peace making and peace building. It advanced economic and social development, democracy and human rights. The role of the UN in reducing global poverty, fighting disease and hunger and extending humanitarian assistance was felt in all parts of the world. The world is a better place today because of the United Nations. It is, therefore, fitting that we celebrate this landmark 60th anniversary of this august body.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bangladesh believes in a strong and effective United Nations. Multilateralism is a key component of our foreign policy. Over the last thirty years, this has continued to define the essence and direction of our foreign policy.

Bangladesh is proud to be a major partner of the UN in its endeavor to maintain international peace and security. Our commitment to UN peacekeeping is unflinching. Over the past two decades, we have been involved in 34 peacekeeping operations across the four continents. Currently we are participating in 12 missions out of 18 ongoing UN missions. Bangladesh has been among the top two contributors of troops and other personnel to UN peacekeeping operations for some time now. Our relationship with the UN has been mutually rewarding in promoting peace and advancing the cause of development.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have recently seen many people questioning the relevance of the United Nations. It is inconceivable to think of a world without the UN. To our mind, in an age of globalisation, the UN is indispensable for the collective management of world affairs. It is the only forum that can deal with problems that recognize no frontiers.

We are encouraged by the fact that the world leaders reposed their trust in the United Nations during the just concluded World Summit 2005 held in New York last month where the Hon'ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh led the Bangladesh delegation. The 170 world leaders participating in the Summit reaffirmed their determination to deal with the threats to international peace and security and the multiple challenges facing our world today, including poverty, terrorism and human development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The World Summit 2005 came out with an outcome document. It provided a basis for action on a wide range of global issues including the timely implementation of the Millennium Development Goals. It also contained recommendations for reform of the UN. The Summit outcome document did not contain everything that is expected of the United Nations in today's world. However, the international community at least got a general road map to build on and direct future actions. The outcome document outlined a blueprint for addressing pressing human concerns like security, human rights, and efficient management of the UN system. It also called for increased assistance to developing countries, especially for fighting poverty.

The past decade has witnessed many UN Conferences focused on important socio-economic and environmental issues of global concern. They ranged from population, environment, women and children, financing for development and social development. These gatherings of world leaders came out with Action Plans to achieve shared goals. The success of these goals would however, largely depend on an enabling international economic environment, particularly, in the areas of trade, finance, ODA and technology transfer. While it is important to set targets, it is more important to create a conducive environment to achieve them. Words must be translated into deeds and commitments made must be kept to make progress in crucial areas.

In order to remain relevant in a world where nations are increasingly judged by the yardstick of democracy and good governance, it is also important that the forum where international standards are set adheres to democratic practices and strengthens internal oversight and ethics in its functioning and operations.

We cannot allow the credibility of the United Nations to erode because nations big and small, weak and powerful all need the UN, as much as the UN needs them. It is only by combining our endeavours and uniting our actions through the United Nations that we will be able to achieve our objectives of peace, security, development and prosperity.

I thank you.

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