Bangladesh has been elected as Vice-Chairman of the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC).
The election took place at the 29th Session of the Intergovernmental Council of IPDC being held from November 20-21, 2014 at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, according to a press release issued by the Embassy of Bangladesh in France.
Information Secretary Martuza Ahmed is representing the Government of Bangladesh to the 29th Session of the IPDC Council, it stated.
The IPDC is the only intergovernmental programme in the UN system mandated to mobilize international support in order to contribute to sustainable development, democracy and good governance by strengthening the capacities of developing countries and countries in transition in the field of electronic and print media.
Since its creation in 1980, IPDC has channelled about US Dollar 105 million to over 1700 media development projects in some 140 countries.
Earlier, Bangladesh became member of the IPDC Council in 2001, 2009 and 2013. By becoming Vice Chairman for the next two years, Bangladesh will join the 8-member Bureau of IPDC Council, which is responsible for project selection, approval and allocation of funds for media development in developing countries, the release said.
"Bangladesh's election to the Bureau of IPDC Council is recognition to the development of a free and responsible media in Bangladesh that stands out as unique in a developing country", said Shahidul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to France and also the Permanent Representative to UNESCO.
As a result of this election, a media expert from Bangladeshi will be able to participate in the IPDC Bureau meeting once a year at UNESCO Headquarters.
