UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said this when Bangladesh's new Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ismat Jahan presented her credentials to him yesterday.

Praising the country's role in UN peacekeeping operations, the UN Secretary General said Bangladesh has a special place at the UN system.

He also appreciated Bangladesh's role in the ongoing reform initiatives of the UN, including the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Ambassador Ismat Jahan reaffirmed Bangladesh's strong commitment to the goals and objectives of the UN Charters and to various UN initiatives and programmes for global peace, security and development.

She emphasised the active participation of Bangladesh in the UN Peacekeeping Operations as one of the leading troop contributing countries (TCC).

"As member of the Least Development Countries (LDCs)", she said, "Bangladesh takes special interest in matters relating to this group of countries."

She assured the UN Secretary General of Bangladesh's strong commitment to a wide range of UN issues like development, environment, good governance, human rights and humanitarian programmes.

As the new Ambassador, she particularly expressed her desire to uphold Bangladesh's pro-active role in the United Nations and sought the Secretary General's cooperation in this regard.

Ban Ki-Moon recalled his visits to Dhaka as a young diplomat soon after Bangladesh's independence and expressed his desire to visit Dhaka again at a convenient time to express his solidarity with Bangladesh against the adverse effects of climate change.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Management Alicia Barcena Ibarra, Deputy Permanent Representative Muhammad Ali Sorcar and Defence Adviser Brigadier General Iliyas Iftekhar Rasul were also present on the occasion.