NEW YORK: Bangladesh got elected as a member of to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for next 3 years (2014-2016) receiving second highest votes in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bangladesh received 181 votes out of 187 votes in the election held at general assembly room of United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday (NY time).

The president of UNGA-2013 John Ash administered the voting.

China got re-elected with highest votes and they received 187 votes while Bangladesh got 181 votes.  

After winning in the membership of ECOSOC, diplomats of other countries congratulated Dr AK Abdul Momen, the permanent representative of Bangladesh to UN.

DR AK Momen, in an e-mail message, told banglanews, “This shows again the global communities confidence on the Bangladesh government and especially its dynamic leadership that earned global respect for its commendable achievements in social and economic areas.  It has become a `model of economic development` and an `example of South Asia`s standard bearer`.”

18 countries got elected to the ECOSOC of which 4 are from Asia-Pacific region and they are: China (187), Bangladesh (181), ROK (re-elected, got 179) and Kazakhstan (179) --  4 from African region, 3 each from Eastern Europe and Latin American & Caribbean regions, and 4 from Western Europe totaling 18.

Bangladesh and Kazakhstan replaced Pakistan and Qatar in the Asia-Pacific region.

BDST: 1411 HRS, OCT 31, 2013
RS/GCP- eic@banglanews24.com