DHAKA: Foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Tuesday said UN peacekeeping forces from Asia-pacific region including Bangladesh are working in the conflicting areas to attain sustainable peace in the world.

The minister made the assertions in an inaugural ceremony of a consultancy session of a high-level independent panel of UN Asia region in peace operations, held at Kurmitola Golf Club in city’s Cantonment area.

Mahmood Ali said that Asia-Pacific region have been playing an important role in UN peacekeeping missions as about 40 percent military forces are being recruited from this area.

Moreover, 33 percent of total UN police forces, who come from this region, are also performing their respective duties in different parts of the world, he added.

The FM informed the audience that Bangladesh will establish a Peace Building Centre to enhance its contribution to the peacekeeping missions.

Chaired by Nobel laureate José Ramos-Horta, the session was also attended by foreign secretary Mozammel Haque Khan and army Principal Staff Officer (PSO) Lt. Gen Belal, among others.

The Novel laureate said there is no alternative of sustainable peace on earth.  Protection of women and children should get priority in this regard, he added.

Besides the host Bangladesh delegations from Australia, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have participated in this two-day program.

BDST: 1252 HRS, JAN 20, 2015