Over 900 delegates representing 43 districts of the countryattended the first National Peace Forum in Dhaka, 26 October 2008. Speakers urged the government to promote a nuclear-free zone in South Asia and also to create employment to address the problem of armed violence and religious fanaticism.

The Peace Forum was organised by 15 civil society organisations, including the Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre (BDPC). Speakers included ex-military leaders, former members of the judiciary, activists and academics.

The Forum received intense media coverage, including 6 national newspapers.