'Environment a global challenge for security in 21st century'

Speakers at a seminar yesterday said the biggest challenge for the international community in the 21st century would be to take concrete steps towards peace, security and development for mankind keeping behind the mistakes of the last century, reports BSS.

Environment would be a global challenge for security in present century, they observed and pleaded for its protection to maintain peace and world security.

They said this while speaking at the seminar jointly organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) and International Studies Association, Bangladesh (ISAB) on "Bangladesh in the Security Council" in the BIISS auditorium in the city.

Chaired by former foreign secretary Barrister A K H Morshed, Foreign Secretary C M Shafi Sami and United Nations Resident Coordinator and WFP Representative to Bangladesh Werner Kiene addressed the seminar as the chief and the special guests respectively.

Among others, German Ambassador in Dhaka U W E Schramm, Director General of BIISS Brig. Shahedul Anam Khan, Prof Dilara Chowdhury of JU, Executive Director of Bangladesh Freedom Foundation Dr Iftekar Zaman, UN Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hemayet Uddin and ISAB general secretary Mosud Mannan took part in the discussion. Dr Abdur Rab Khan, Research Director of BIISS, read out the keynote paper.

Shafi Sami said Bangladesh on taking seat in the UN Security Council is playing a pioneering role for maintaining global peace and security for the 21st century. "We are not only promoting our own national interest in the UN Security Council, but also playing our due role for promoting and maintaining international peace and security for the humanity.

"Our efforts at the United Nations are devoted to peace and security and the cause of social and economic development as Bangladesh's pursuit towards disarmament is driven by its constitutional commitment.

In the keynote speech, Prof Rab said: "Bangladesh should be able to create positive image through projecting positive attainments in population control, NGO activities in the fields of micro-credit financing, non-formal education and women's empowerment.