Bangladesh Urges Greater Investment in Preventive Mediation

Bangladesh has called for increased investment in preventive mediation and peacebuilding capacity to address grievances before they escalate into violence.

“We must mediate before grievances become violence, when human and financial costs are lowest,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said at the 16th Ministerial Meeting of the United Nations Group of Friends of Mediation at Turkish House in New York on Friday (September 25).

Drawing on Bangladesh’s longstanding contribution to UN peacekeeping, she urged greater investment in mediation and peacebuilding capabilities, including through the Integrated Peacebuilding Competency Programme of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT).

Shama Obaed stressed the importance of stronger cooperation among states, regional stakeholders, local mediators and the United Nations, while ensuring national ownership of peace processes.

She also called for enhanced UN capacity for preventive action through predictable funding, rapidly deployable mediation support and timely engagement guided by early-warning mechanisms.

The state minister further highlighted the potential role of technology and artificial intelligence in mediation, stressing the need for responsible use and safeguards to protect impartiality, transparency and confidentiality.

The meeting was jointly convened by Finland and Türkiye on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, bringing together ministers and senior representatives from several countries.