Bangladesh votes for UN resolution on Ukraine's territorial integrity

Bangladesh has voted in favour of the UN resolution titled "Territorial Integrity of Ukraine: Defending the Principles of the UN Charter" at the UN General Assembly's 11th Emergency Special Session on Ukraine Crisis in New York.

"Bangladesh along with 142 other countries voted in favour of the resolution," said state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam at a media briefing at the Foreign Ministry here today.

The UNGA adopted the resolution on Wednesday that condemns Russia's "illegal so-called referendums" in regions within Ukraine's internationally-recognised borders, and demands it reverses its annexation declaration.

Alam said Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN M Abdul Muhith gave the explanation of Bangladesh's position regarding the vote at the UNGA's special session.

"We did so because we strongly believe that the purposes and principles of the UN Charter regarding respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of all disputes must be complied universally for everyone, everywhere under all circumstances, without any exception," a foreign ministry statement said referring to Bangladesh's explanation that was made at the UN.

Bangladesh also believes that sovereignty and territorial integrity of any country within its internationally recognized borders should be respected, said the statement.

"In this connection, we specially underscore the need to take similar uniform stand by the international community against the annexations of Palestinian and other Arab lands by Israel," it read.

Bangladesh remains deeply concerned by the continuation of the conflict in Ukraine and its global socio-economic implications.

"We believe that antagonism like war or economic sanctions, counter-sanctions cannot bring good to any nation. Dialogue, discussion and mediation are the best ways to resolve crises and disputes," said the statement.

As a firm believer of multilateralism, Bangladesh will continue to stand with the United Nations and the office of the Secretary General and supporting them in every way it can, it added.

Dhaka observed that in order to gain the trust and confidence of the people at all levels, the United Nations and the office of the SG must lead from the front and work to fulfill the expectations of all.

Bangladesh, therefore, urged all parties in the conflict to play a positive role for de-escalation and resume immediate diplomatic dialogue in order to settle all disputes by peaceful means, and refrain from taking any action that may endanger international peace and security.

"We should work towards ending war and stopping arms race for the good of mankind. As member states of the UN, we must continue to work together to promote peace and development," said the statement.

A total of 143 member states voted in favour of the resolution, five voted against and 35 abstained.

The countries who voted against were Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria while India and China were among those who abstained.