Senior leaders from 17 countries in the Asia-Pacific region met in Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 23 to 28, 2000 to discuss strategic and operational issues related to multilateral peacekeeping operations. The participating countries included Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, China, India, Japan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United States. Countries sent delegates who had high-level interest in peacekeeping operations from a range of backgrounds including military, civil police, and civilians from the ministries of defense and foreign affairs. The Bangladesh Army and U.S. Army Pacific co-sponsored the event with the assistance of the Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance, and the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

Maj. Brian K. Hedrick, USA, is the Program Manager for South Asia and the Indian Ocean, G5, International Military Affairs Division, HQ, U.S. Army Pacific, Fort Shafter, Hawaii.