Election to UN Security Council

Diplomatic efforts on to obtain support

Dipu tells parliament

4 April 2010, 18:00 PM

Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh keeps continuing to pursue diplomatic efforts to obtain the support of UN member countries in order to be elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2016-17 and to the executive boards of the International Telecommunication Union and UNDP. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said this in parliament while replying to queries from lawmakers yesterday. She also spoke about the government's mid-term and long-term branding strategy to build a positive image of Bangladesh abroad. Dipu Moni said Bangladesh was recently elected to the UN Human Rights Council, Unesco executive board, International Sea Bed Authority, Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions, Economic and Social Council and International Maritime Organisation. The foreign ministry has been implementing branding initiatives in various fields, including political and diplomatic arena, economic and investment sector, national heritage and culture, export, tourism, and socio-economic fields, she added. Since the takeover by the present government on January 6, 2009, the foreign ministry through its 59 diplomatic missions abroad have actively been engaged in promoting the positive image of the country and portraying it as a responsible and active state, Dipu said. The government succeeded in establishing a positive image of the country abroad through strategic diplomacy after erasing the negative image the country had earned due to rise of militancy and communal activities, she added. Dipu said the foreign ministry and Bangladesh missions have also been trying to brand the country as Asia's 'next best destination' for foreign investments. She also said the government is encouraging non-resident Bangladeshis to help promote the country's positive image abroad. Replying to another query, she said that of the 42 high commissioners and ambassadors, 26 were appointed from BCS (foreign affairs) cadre, three from the armed forces on deputation and the remaining 13 were appointed on contract basis. FUGITIVE KILLERS OF BANGABANDHU The foreign minister also said the government has been pursuing legal and diplomatic efforts to bring the fugitive killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman back to the country. She, however, declined to disclose information about whereabouts of the convicted fugitive killers. "Right now, it will not be wise to disclose whereabouts of the fugitive killers for the sake of ensuring that they are brought back to the country. The government has taken all effective measures to this end," Dipu said. On March 15, Home Minister Sahara Khatun in response to lawmakers' queries disclosed possible whereabouts of eight fugitive convicted killers of Bangabandhu.