The Bangladesh the UN country team (UNCT) consists of representatives from 17

UN agencies, funds and programmes, UNIC and UNDSS convened under UN

Resident Coordinator (RC). The UNCT meets at regular intervals, generally once
each month, under the chairmanship of the UN Resident Coordinator to discuss and
decide on issues of common interest. Heads of Agencies are responsible for overall
oversight and policy decisions for their respective agencies and the UNCT meetings
serve as a forum for inter-agency discussions aimed at optimizing and harmonizing
the UN Systems synergies at country-level. The UNCT is supported by the UN
Resident Coordinators Office, UNDAF Pillars, UNDAF M&E Group and any other interagency thematic groups as required.
In response to the Government of Bangladesh Poverty Reduction Strategy, and
following a joint assessment of the development needs (UN Common Country
Assessment - CCA) in 2005, the Government of Bangladesh and the UNCT agreed on
six priority areas of cooperation in the UN Development Assistance Framework
(UNDAF) 2006-2010. The UNDAF was extended by one year to 2011 to ensure
greater alignment with the Joint Cooperation Strategy (JCS), developed by
Government and Development Partners to strengthen aid delivery and
management.

The formulation of Bangladesh's new UNDAF (2012-2016) began in 2010. The UN

System and the Government of Bangladesh undertook a rigorous and
comprehensive assessment of the status of the MDGs in Bangladesh. The results
and findings were documented in the 'MDG Bangladesh Progress Report 2009' and
served as Bangladesh's country analysis, replacing the need for a UN Common
Country Assessment (CCA). In addition to the results from the MDG assessment, the
UNDAF 2012-2016 also builds on the key development priorities outlined in
Governments Outline Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 20102021 (Making Vision
2021 a Reality), the emerging Sixth Five Year National Development Plan. Seven
UNDAF thematic pillars have been identified along with lead/convening UN
agencies:
1. Democratic Governance and Human Rights (Lead: UNDP) 2. Pro-poor Economic
Growth with Equity (Lead: UNDP)3. Social Services for Human Development (Lead:
UNICEF)4. Food Security and Nutrition (Lead: WFP)5. Climate Change, Environment,
Disaster Risk Reduction & Response (Lead: UNDP)6. Pro-Poor Urban Development
(Lead: UNDP)7. Gender Equality and Women's Advancement (Lead: UNFPA)
Implementation of the new UNDAF implementation began in 2012, under a common
operational plan, the countrys first, the UNDAF Action Plan 2012-2016. United
Nations operations in Bangladesh
Bangladesh established initial links with the UN during the period of War of
Liberation in 1971. Besides being a war of liberation it was also a fight against

violations of basic human rights. UNs involvement in Bangladeshs war of liberation

was mainly in:
a. Taking stand against violation of human rights; and
b. Providing aid to the refugees.
In March 1971, during its historic non-cooperation movement the leaders of the
movement sent message to U Thant, the then Secretary General of UN, urging the
Organizations support for the campaign for self-determination by the people of the
then East Pakistan. They also held a special meeting with an UNDP representative in
Dhaka. The genocide in Bangladesh in 1971 sparked off sharp reactions all over the
world. With all other world leaders, Secretary General U Thant condemned this
genocide and described it as a darkest chapter in human history.
After the formation of Bangladesh Government in exile on 17 April 1971, one of its
most important tasks became the elicitation of support from all countries of the
world and creation of favourable world public opinion in support of its war of
liberation. For this purpose the Bangladesh Government from its headquarters in
Mujibnagar sent special emissaries to the United Nations on 21 September 1971 on
the 26th session of the UN General Assembly. In October 1971, the leader of the
Bangladesh delegation let the world know through a press conference held in UN
Plaza, that we have reached a point of no return. On 4 December 1971, a long
statement prepared by Bangladesh delegation in UN was distributed as an Official
Document. The letter was docketed as an Official Document of the Security
Council. This was the first occasion when a statement on behalf of the people of
Bangladesh was presented at the UN directly by a delegation from Bangladesh.
The second area where UN was actively involved was in helping the refugees. As a
result of the inhumane oppression and genocide by the Pakistan Army, thousands of
people left home and took refuge in neighbouring India. The organizational
management and the financial strength needed to keep these refugees alive were
beyond any countrys ability alone. The United Nations organized a massive
international operation for relief of the refugees from Bangladesh in India.
Bangladeshs war of liberation also gained technical advantage because of the
involvement of UN in helping the refugees. This put an end to the dirty tricks of
Pakistan and some other countries that were trying hard to portray this struggle as
internal affair of Pakistan and a quarrel between India and Pakistan. Top UN
officials including Sadruddin Aga Khan, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees,
visited several refugee camps. Besides the UNHCR, other UN Agencies like WHO,
WFP, and UNICEF also started work for the refugees.
On the other hand, United Nations started its relief activities in the then occupied
Bangladesh. On July 1971 United Nations East Pakistan Relief Operation (UNEPRO)
started its activities under John R Kelly. Later, Paul Mckee Henry, Under Secretary
General of UN took this responsibility at UN Headquarters. Bangladesh government

at that time complained that the Pakistan army was deliberately misusing this relief
operation. On 16 November the entire operation was taken directly by UN from
Pakistan control. This was a moral blow to the then administration of East Pakistan.
In the Aid-Consortium meeting of the World Bank held in Paris in June 1971, the
donor communities refused to give any new aid until normalcy was restored in East
Pakistan. East Pakistan is in effect without a government, this comment by the
World Bank added a new momentum to the war of liberation of Bangladesh. The
refugee problem in Bangladesh was also a serious item on the agenda of United
Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1971.
After the emergence of Bangladesh, the United Nations started a massive relief and
rehabilitation operation. Kurt Waldheim, the Secretary General of UN, gave formal
announcement of United Nations Relief Operations in Dhaka (UNROD) on 21
December 1971, and appointed Sir Robert Jackson as Under Secretary General in
over-all charge. The operation was later enhanced and renamed as UNROB, an
acronym of United Nations Relief Operations in Bangladesh. When this operation
terminated its activities of emergency relief and rehabilitation as planned on 31
December 1973, UNROB had become until then the largest of its kind ever
conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
The relationship between United Nations and Bangladesh further strengthened
when the UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim visited Bangladesh on 9 February
1973 and met with the Prime Minister Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to
discuss ways and means to rebuild the country. After this visit, United Nations
supports the nation building process of Bangladesh. With the assistance of the
United Nations, the Chalna Port, which was devastated during the war of Liberation,
was cleared off the sunken vessels. UN also arranged a chartered plan to bring back
the stranded Bangalis from Pakistan in July 1973.

Table Bangladeshs membership to UN System.World Health Organization

(WHO),unctad,imf,ibrd,ida ilo,unctad
Bangladesh joins UN :Bangladesh continued an uninterrupted efforts to become a
member of the UN immediately after independence. For this reason, Bangladesh
has always extended its unflinching support to the spirit and ideals of the United
Nations as enshrined in its Charter. After Independence, the Constitution of
Bangladesh was adopted and this Constitution contains many provisions of the UN
charters that are fully consistent with the ideals of UN. The Bangladeshs
Constitution clearly states: The state shall base its international relations on the
principle of respect for international law and principles enshrined in the United
Nations Charter (Article 25). In the Constitution of Bangladesh Human Rights have
been clearly incorporated in the light of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

It also guarantees rule of law, fundamental rights and economic and social equity as
well as freedom and justice.
Later in 1972, another round of activities were undertaken at the UN headquarters
in General Assembly session by a group of observers under the then Minister for
Foreign Affairs. However, Bangladeshs effort to be a full member failed twice
because of the veto exercised by China in the Security Council at the behest of the
Pakistan government headed by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Bangladesh formally joined the United Nations as its 136th Member state on 17
September 1974. After a week, on 24 September 1974, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman gave a speech in Bangla in the UN.
Though Bangladesh formally joined the United Nations on 17 September 1974, it
acquired membership of several other UN bodies well before that. Actually the first
UN body to welcome Bangladesh was the World Health Organization (WHO). It was
soon followed by Bangladeshs entry into most other specialized agencies and
programmes of the United Nations.
Bangladesh in United Nations: Since its entry as a member state, Bangladesh has
been playing significant role in the World Body. It is involved in political, security,
economic and social spheres of the UN activities. In pursuance of its national policy
Bangladesh lays emphasis on five key areas, namely development, environment,
democracy, human rights and peacekeeping.
Only a year after its membership to the United Nations Bangladesh was elected
Vice-President in the General Assembly in 1975, and served twice as member of the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) from 1976 to 1978, and from 1981 to 1983.
Bangladeshs representative Humayun Rasheed Chowdhury acted as the President
of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly in 1986-87.
Bangladesh was twice elected as non-permanent member of the Security Council,
first during 1979-1980, defeating Japan, and next during 2000-2001. Bangladeshs
first term (1979-80) in the Security Council marked the continuation of cold war
phase in world politics. In addition to the Arab-Israeli dispute, the Vietnamese
invasion of Kamputchea, the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan, Iranian hostage issue,
the Iran-Iraq war and African issues such as independence of Rhodesia and arms
embargo against South Africa figured out prominently in the agenda. Bangladeshs
joint efforts with other non-aligned member-nations to circumvent the Soviet vetoes
on Kamputchea and Afghanistan failed, but its similar efforts on dismantling of
Jewish settlements in occupied Arab territories proved to be successful on quite a
few occasions. On the hostage issue, in keeping with the recognised principle of
international law, Bangladesh supported the resolution for the release of American
diplomats held in Tehran. In the same period Bangladesh supervised on behalf of
the UN the elections in Rhodesia leading to its independence as Zimbabwe and was
elected as the chairman of the Security Councils Committee on Arms Embargo in

South Africa. During Bangladeshs second term (2000-2001), under the changed
diplomatic situation too, it played a significant role in the Council. Angola, Bosnia
Herzegovina, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Iraq, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and
East Timor dominated the agenda. During the period Bangladesh also made
important contributions as the chairman of the two committees, namely the
Committee Concerning Sierra Leone and the Working Committee on the Role of
Sanctions. Bangladesh also held the presidency of the Security Council in March
2000 and in June 2001.
Bangladesh became one of the strongest advocates for the establishment of a New
International Economic Order (NIEO) endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1974.
In late 1978 Bangladesh served as a member of the preparatory committee to the
Assemblys special session devoted to disarmament and its diplomatic position on
the issue improved to some extent in August 1979 when it acceded to the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT). Bangladesh has contributed to the UN activities by
coordinating major groups of countries as the chairman of Group of 77 in 1982-83
and as the coordinator of Least Developed Countries since 1980. Bangladesh was
selected in the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1985,
and in the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) of World Trade Organization
(WTO) in 1998. Former President of Bangladesh Abu Sayeed Chowdhury headed the
Human Rights Commission in 1985 and Bangladesh served as member of the
Commission on Human Rights with distinction during 1983-2000 and was elected to
the Commission for the term 2006-2008.
Bangladesh also participated in all major UN sponsored conferences, and the
conference held in 1990s under UN auspices are considered to be important as they
succeeded in adopting Declarations and plans of action by consensus. These
conferences include: The Education for All Conference (Jomtein, 1990), the World
Summit for Children (New York, 1990), the Earth Summit (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), the
Nutrition Conference (Rome, 1992), the World Conference on Human Rights (Vienna,
1993), the Conference on Population and Development (Cairo, 1994), the World
Summit on Social Development (Copenhagen, 1995), the fourth World Conference
on Women (Beijing, 1995), the Habitat II Conference (Istanbul, 1996), and the World
Food Summit (Rome, 1996). In the Beijing Conference in 1995, Bangladesh not only
officially participated but also encouraged NGOs to do so.
Bangladesh has ratified or acceded to most of the UN instruments such as
conventions, treaties and protocols. Of these some core conventions, treaties and
protocols that Bangladesh ratified or acceded include: International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Convention on the Elimination
of all Forms of Discriminations against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights
of the Child and International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, The
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, The Agreement on the Prohibition of the Use At Anti
Personnel Mines, The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD), The Biodiversity Convention at Rio, Vienna Convention, Montreal Protocol,

London Amendment, Copenhagen Amendment, Montreal Amendment, Beijing

Amendment.
Bangladesh has made its deep commitment to international peace and cooperation
in many ways. Bangladesh was inspired and synchronized the adoption of the
Declaration and Programme of Action for a Culture of Peace in 1999 at the 54th
session of the UN General Assembly. Bangladesh is also a founding member of
Peace Building Commission. Currently one of the major functions of the UN that
Bangladesh deeply involved in is the UN peacekeeping operations in various conflict
zones. Bangladesh is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations.
Bangladeshs involvement in peacekeeping operations began in 1988 when it
participated in UN operations in Iraq (UNIIMOG) and in Namibia (UNTAG). Later as
part of the UNIKOM force deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia following gulf War the
Bangladesh Army sent a mechanized battalion. Since then, the Bangladeshi
peacekeepers have been involved in up to forty-five different UNPKOs in as many as
twenty-five countries with approximately 83,000 personnel around the world. This
has included activities in UN Transitional Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG), UN
Transitional Assistance Group in Cambodia (UNTAC) and UN Military Liaison Team in
Cambodia (UNMLT), UN Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM), UN Observer Mission
Uganda/Rwanda, UN Operations in Mozambique (UNOMOZ), UN Mission in former
Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR), UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH),
UN Mission of Observer in Tajikistan (UNMOT), UN Mission for the Referendum in
Western Sahara (MINURSO), UN Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), UN
Mission in Kosobo (UNMIK), UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), UN Mission in
Support of East Timor (UNMISET), UN Organisation Mission in Congo (MONUC), UN
Operations in CF4te dlvoire and UN Mission in Eritrea and Ethiopia (UNMEE). As of
March 2010, Bangladesh was ranked first in terms of its contribution to United
Nations Peacekeeping Operations, with 10,574 personnel (military and police)
attached to 12 UN peacekeeping forces in 11 countries. Today, the Bangladesh
Peace Keeping Force is one of the top foreign currency earners for the country in
return of its contribution to the UN. The performance of Bangladeshs contingents
under varying conditions has been of a high order as it is marked by unflinching
commitment, dedication and competence. Indeed, the countrys achievements in
this field have been duly acknowledged and appreciated by the world community.
While carrying out their duties as peace-keepers under high risk and hostile
situation, as many as 88 peace-keepers of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives in
the interest of world peace.
United Nations System in Bangladesh Currently the United Nations system has a
large presence in Bangladesh. More than 10 UN agencies/programmes are now at
work alongside the government and the people of Bangladesh for their development
and prosperity. Their area of work includes economy, energy, environment,
contingencies, education, disaster, food, gender, good governance, health, human
rights, indigenous people, migration, nutrition, participation, population, poverty,

refugees, urbanization, employment and livelihood. UN agencies provide major

policy support, resulting in promulgation of Acts and Ordinances in governance and
human rights issues, and development of critical plan of actions and guidelines in
health, education, environment and other economic and social sectors.
The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) brought the UN
system together to respond jointly with the government to the national
development priorities. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as the
global development network and one of the main branches of the UN family in
Bangladesh is working with the UN Team to develop UNDAF in Bangladesh. For this
purpose UNDP supports government agencies in preparing Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs)-based plan and implementing its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).
Due to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO)
effort, Sundarbans and some other historical sites were included in the World
heritage list. UNESCO launched an international campaign in 1985 to safeguard
Paharpur Vihara and several mosques in Bagerhat that are built in the 15th century.
UNESCO also played the pioneering role in designating 21st February as the
International Mother Language Day and now every year the day is observed by all
member countries of the world. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) built
shallow wells throughout the country to provide a safe source of drinking water to
Bangladeshs poor. In the fields of immunization, disease control, reproductive
health care and disaster assistance, UNICEFs contribution during 1980s and 1990s
deserve special attention. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization
(FAO) is involved here in the vital agricultural sector, and Bangladeshs efforts for
adequate stocks of rice and wheat and agriculture production are being assisted by
FAO. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has been working in partnership
with the Government of Bangladesh through technical advisory services and
commodity support. UNFPA has completed six country programme cycle while it is
currently carrying out its seventh country programme (2006-2010). UNFPA is also
involved here in promoting family planning and planned growth of population. In
Bangladesh International Labour Organization (ILO) is contributing towards
education and training of manpower and its labor laws are being put in place in
accordance with ILO. The World Food Programme (WFP) has a great contribution
towards countrys vital Food for Work and Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF)
Programes. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) works in close
partnership with the Government of Bangladesh to assist the improvements in living
conditions for the 28,000 refugees from Myanmar. The World Bank and Bangladesh
have long been in partnership in development sector since 1972. The World Bank
works with Bangladesh to assist the country in attaining its development goals of
reducing poverty and improving the lives of people. The World Bank also works
closely with other development partners, non-government organizations, civil
society, academia and most importantly the local stakeholders. As for Bangladesh,
the World Bank (WB) provides loans for development projects. Bangladesh has close

ties with International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMFs loans ensure Bangladeshs stable
monetary policy. The World Trade Organization (WTO) has opened up Bangladeshs
trade opportunity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been providing
technical assistance to Bangladesh for the development and strengthening of the
countrys public health systems since 1972. Bangladeshs health and drug policies
are being regulated consistent with the policies of WHO.
Many of the UN agencies in Bangladesh assist in preparing socio-economic projects,
conduct programmes of training and award fellowships or funds for research to
Bangladeshi nationals. The development strategy of Bangladesh is closely
coordinated with this UN agencies and each of these agencies has an office in
Bangladesh.
The relationship between Bangladesh and the UN during the past years reflects the
spirit of Bangladesh Constitution. Bangladeshs image is projected to the world
community through its close association with United Nations. In a politically divided
and economically antagonistic world the United Nations remains the only
Organization for the world to remain undivided and peaceful. Bangladesh is
principally committed to uphold UN principles. [Urmee Hossain]
Bibliography Bangladesh and the United Nations Thirty Years of Partnership, United
Nations Association of Bangladesh (UNAB), Dhaka, 2004; Bangladesh and the UN:
25 years of Cooperation, United Nations Association of Bangladesh (UNAB), Dhaka,
2000; Nurul Momen (ed.), UN and Bangladesh, Cooperation for Development,
Dhaka, 1995; Bangladesh and the United Nations (1986-87), United Nations
Association of Bangladesh (UNAB), Dhaka, 1987; Nurul Momen, Bangladesh-UN
Partnership in The Daily Star, February 19, 2006.