Prime Minister Khaleda Zia yesterday left for New York to attend the World Summit 2005, one of the largest United Nations (UN) gathering of world leaders, which will review the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and followup to the major UN conferences and summits.
This UN occasion will bring together more than 170 heads of states and governments in the largest gathering of the world leaders in history. This year the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session assumes special significance since it commemorates the 60th anniversary of the UN. Briefing diplomatic correspondents yesterday afternoon, Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin said Khaleda will lead the Bangladesh delegation to the summit to be held on September 14-16 and is scheduled to address the High Level Plenary Meeting on September 14. She will also make country statement at the general debate of UNGA on September 17.
The PM is also due to meet with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and heads of different UN agencies, including the UNDP and UNICEF.
Hemayetuddin said the PM is expected to hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders, including the presidents of Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mozambique and the prime minister of Thailand, during her stay in New York.
On not having any schedule to meet with the Indian PM, the foreign secretary said Khaleda will be extremely busy in New York and will meet those who have already sought appointment.
He said that US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will call on PM Khaleda Zia at her hotel suit in New York and discuss all aspects of Bangladesh-USA bilateral issues. The PM is also likely to meet with the US president at a reception in honour of the participating world leaders.
At the sidelines, Khaleda Zia will also attend the inaugural session of the first meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative on September 15 in New York.
During her stay in the USA, she will attend and address a reception hosted by the Bangladeshi community. Ministers and high officials will accompany the PM in her tour to USA.
Turning to the UN summit, the foreign secretary said that the PM in her speech will reaffirm Bangladesh's commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
She will underscore the centrality of the UN in dealing with global issues, particularly development, environment, disarmament, democracy etc and will highlight Bangladesh's contribution to and role in various UN programmes and activities.
She will also focus on the progress made by Bangladesh in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The foreign secretary said the reform of the UN will receive attention during the summit as well as the regular session of UNGA. The report of UN secretary general on UN reform has generated much debate and interest as he has made a number of specific proposals to enable the UN body to better respond to the need of the 21st century. "Some of his proposals have far reaching implications and we are considering them carefully," he
added.
On Bangladesh's role as a facilitator in UN reform proposals, Hemayetuddin said, "We believe that any effort regarding the UN reform should primarily focus on strengthening the role of the organisation in meeting the charter objectives and in the promotion of sustainable development. There should be a system-wide reform, beginning with revitalising the general assembly."
On UN Security Council reform, he said Bangladesh will underscore that any such reform should be considered as package encompassing both the issues of membership and working methods. The broadest possible consensus on various countries and groups is desired on this issue, he added.
He said the Economic and Social Councils should play more active roles to help make and implement coherent UN policies for development and Bangladesh delegation will engage fully on areas that are priorities for our country, including those where summit follow-up action is needed.
As a major partner of the UN in its peacekeeping operations, the foreign secretary said, Bangladesh will continue to highlight that a clear mandate, robust rules of engagement and political will of the parties concerned are critical to the success of the UN peace keeping.
"Today we are the second largest troop contributing country in the world with more than 8,000 Bangladeshi peacekeepers now participating in 12 missions. Bangladesh will emphasise her role and contribution to UN efforts of peacekeeping in the debate," he said.
To ensure a more strategic approach in helping countries make the transition from war to lasting peace, Bangladesh will support establishment of a new UN body--a Peace Building Commission, he said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan will attend the ministerial meetings of the Non-Aligned Movement, G-77, Commonwealth, D-8, ACD, Saarc, and Saarc-Asean dialogue, Hemayetuddin said.
He said these meetings will provide the foreign minister with an opportunity to underline Bangladesh's abiding commitment to and continuing interest in various regional and economic groupings.
As Bangladesh takes over Saarc chairmanship this year, the Saarc ministerial meeting will be a useful forum for discussing various aspects of the forthcoming summit in Dhaka on November 12-13. The foreign minister will also meet his counterparts from friendly countries at the sidelines.