State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for stronger UN capacity for preventive action, including predictable funding, rapidly deployable mediation support and timely engagement based on early warning.
“We must mediate before grievances become violence, when human and financial costs are lowest,” she said while addressing the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Group of Friends of Mediation, held at Turkish House in New York on Thursday.
Shama underscored the need for responsible use of technology and AI in mediation, with appropriate safeguards for impartiality, transparency and confidentiality.
She drew on Bangladesh’s long-standing peacekeeping experience and called for investing in mediation and peacebuilding capacity, including through Bangladesh’s Integrated Peacebuilding Competency Programme at BIPSOT.
The state minister stressed stronger partnerships among states, regional actors, local mediators and the UN, while respecting national ownership.
The event was jointly convened by Finland and Türkiye on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, with the participation of ministers and senior representatives from many countries, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.