Bangladesh at the UN Security Council

The United Nations was established more than 50 years ago after the end of World War II. The founding fathers had envisaged that the world body would act within its mandate to prevent the outbreak of another world war and to devote its efforts for the development of the human race. Despite all that may be said about the United Nations, it must be given the credit of having performed this job. It was not easy, particularly when East-West confrontation divided a number of the member states on ideological grounds and military alliances. The developing countries tried to steer away from this confrontation by forming the Non-Aligned Movement. However the fate of the world was often kept hanging by the superpower conflict. Along the way, there have been several crisis situations taking the world to the brink of a major global confrontation. The United Nations' role in de-escalating tension and conflict resolution must be given due recognition. The challenge for the international community in the 21st century would be put behind the sufferings and mistakes of the last millennium and look ahead towards establishment of lasting peace, security and development for all humankind. The United Nations Security Council would have a pivotal role to play in the realisation of this lofty goal.

Bangladesh's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2000-2001 is most certainly a major success of our foreign policy. It would be for the second time in its 25 years of membership of the United Nations that Bangladesh would be serving in the Security Council. This by itself is no mean feat. Therefore when we take our seat in the UN Security Council on the very first day of the new millennium, we know that we will also be taking our place in history in performing a pioneering role of maintaining global peace and security for 21st century. Bangladesh must be prepared to perform this role well for the sake of its national interest as much as for the sake of international peace and security.

Our election to the UNSC was a clear show of the confidence placed by the international community on the foreign policy of Bangladesh. Since our membership of the United Nations on September 17, 1974, Bangladesh has taken a proactive and constructive role in the United Nations. The Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in his speech to the UN General Assembly on September 24, 1974 spelled out the basic foreign policy elements for the nation. These directives have continued to form the basis of our foreign policy.

Our efforts at the United Nations were devoted to peace and security and the cause of social and economic development. Last September when we observed the 25th anniversary of our membership at the United Nations, our track record in the United Nations was acclaimed by all including the Secretary General of the United Nations Mr Kofi Annan. At the commemorative ceremony held in New York, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared "In international relations, the United Nations has made our voice matter. For developing countries like Bangladesh, the United Nations provides a forum to highlight our concerns and further international cooperation to address our needs. The United Nations has also been the pioneer in setting global norms to advance sustainable economic, social and human development, human rights and environmental protection. We see the United Nations as an organisation we cannot do without. In this context we believe that we must have an effective and efficient United Nations, revitalised for meeting the challenges faced by humankind. Bangladesh has always been supportive of the 'renewal' of the United Nations. We have contributed in the reform efforts of the Secretary-General and in issues relating to peacekeeping, development, women and children, human rights, participation of civil society, population and development, strengthening of the operational activities and budgetary and financial matters of the United Nations."

Article 24 the United Nations Charter spells out the functions and powers of the Security Council. It states that "(i) In order to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations, its Members confer on the Security Council primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and agree that in carrying out its duties under this responsibility the Security Council acts on their behalf; and (ii) in discharging these duties the Security Council shall act in accordance with the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations." By placing the primary responsibility of maintenance of international peace and security on the Security Council it has made this organ all important in the United Nations system. The member states that make up the Security Council therefore has to remain committed to ensure that the council does not fail in carrying out this important responsibility.

Bangladesh's commitment to peace and security is also vindicated by our active participation in UN peace-keeping operations. Today we have the honour of being the second largest troop contributing country to UN peace-keeping operations. Our officers have had the distinction to take up command positions in the toughest conflict areas. Bangladesh has also been contributing civilian personnel in UN peace keeping operations in troubled spots such as Haiti, Kosovo and East Timor. The deputation of eight judicial officers of the Bangladesh Government to take up administrative assignments under the UNTAET auspices in East Timor is among the latest of our contribution to peace and security.

The international situation has undergone dramatic changes since the end of the Cold War. With the Cold War divide put behind, the Security Council has had to cope with resolving conflicts arising from ancient racial, ethnic and religious hatred. Among the many complex issues before the Council, it often remains engrossed with the debate to authorise humanitarian interventions in situations of grave human rights violations.

The Security Council will have to deal with many of the tensions and conflicts that will spill over into the new millennium. The situation in the Balkans that has seen the worst atrocities committed against humanity continues to remain volatile. The question of the lifting of sanctions against Iraq is also a major concern of the Council. Likewise, the continued war in Afghanistan and conflicts in Africa and other regions will call for action by the Security Council.

The challenge for the Security Council in the 21st century are therefore immense and formidable. Given the uncertainty of the international situation, the UN Security Council must always be quick to respond to crisis situations. As a member of the Security Council, Bangladesh has no illusions of the heavy and onerous responsibilities that go along the membership of this prestigious organ of the United Nations. Although a non-permanent member, our obligations to the Security Council, barring the few privileges exclusively reserved for the permanent members, will be no less.

It must be made clear that Bangladesh did not seek its membership of the UN Security Council only for the honour and prestige that comes along with the membership. Rather, it was a decision inspired by the very principles on which Bangladesh was founded:

Democracy and tolerance, peace and security, respect for human rights and human dignity, and freedom from all forms of repression and discrimination. During its term in the Security Council, the Bangladesh delegation will continue to be inspired by these principles and devote its energies to the maintenance of international peace and security.

The author is Foreign Secretary, Government of Bangladesh.