Candidature for CEDAW

Dhaka seeks Brazil's support

25 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Diplomatic Correspondent

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has sought support of Brazil in favour of Bangladesh's candidature for Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of UN. She made the request when the new Ambassador of Brazil to Bangladesh Richardo Luiz Viana called on her at the foreign ministry yesterday. CEDAW is UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. States Parties to CEDAW will elect 11 members of the committee on June 28 that will serve four-year terms from January 2011. The foreign minister told the envoy that Bahrain, Malaysia and Nigeria have already withdrawn their respective candidatures. During the meeting Dipu Moni said Bangladesh and Brazil enjoy friendly bilateral relations. She expressed the intention of the present democratic government to work further to strengthen the relationship. She said the two counties may undertake steps such as exchange of high-level visits, explore new avenues of cooperation in trade and commerce, culture and sports. Viana welcomed the decision of Dipu Moni to join the third forum of the Alliance of Civilisation (AoC) to be held in Rio de Janeiro on May 27-29. Foreign minister said Bangladesh would actively participate in the third forum. She appreciated Alliance that promotes policies and initiatives aimed at improving relations between diverse cultural groups. Viana told the foreign minister that Turkey, Brazil and Iran are jointly working on Iranian Nuclear issue.