Bangladesh News

Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday said Bangladesh’s commitment to the United Nations is backed by her readiness to make substantial contributions to peace missions and tackle any challenging and complicated situation.

“Bangladesh is also capable of mobilising well-trained and well-equipped forces having vast experiences at a very short notice. The government of Bangladesh remains committed to further modernising the country’s armed forces and police to enable them to accomplish their noble tasks more effectively,” he said.

The CA was addressing a function marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre here. The Armed Forces Division (AFD) in association with the United Nations Resident Coordinator office in Bangladesh organised the programme.

Bangladesh is presently the second largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping operation. Some 9,199 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are now working in 14 missions.

Since its participation in the UN peacekeeping mission in 1988, 73,112 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have worked in 41 peacekeeping operations in 31 countries, the function was told.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Army Chief Gen Moeen U Ahmed and UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Renata Dessallien also spoke at the function.

Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, Air Chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman and Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Masud Uddin Chowdhury were on the dais.

Advisers, special assistants to the chief adviser, members of Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers and family members, members of the armed forces and distinguished personalities were also present at the function.

Brig Gen Monwar Hossain made a presentation on two decades of journey of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in UN peace missions at the function.

Bangladesh Television broadcast the programme live.

The CA distributed crests among family members of some Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers who made supreme sacrifices while performing duties in UN peacekeeping missions. He also distributed crests among some injured Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers at the function.

A brief cultural show was staged to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

In his speech, the CA said Bangladesh responds enthusiastically in sending its troops from its armed forces and police to far-flung conflict-ridden regions in different countries of the world under the UN Security Council mandate.

“Recently, our participation in the UN mission in Dafur has become another milestone in our unwavering commitment to global peace,” he told the function.

Referring to respect and admiration earned by Bangladeshi troops and police from other countries and people they have served, the CA said the United Nations and members of the international community have time and again applauded the country’s effective and courageous role in peace support mission.

Apart from their significant contributions to UN peacekeeping operations, the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces and police have also been playing an outstanding role in nation-building activities at home, the CA said.

He said Bangladesh’s participation in peace support operations and other categories of multinational forces has increased its name and fame in the global arena which has substantiated the country’s stand for the cause of world peace, enhanced diplomatic ties with it allies and brought Bangladesh closer to both developed and developing nations.

“Our troops in the field along with diplomatic initiatives at UN headquarters have always reflected our commitment to lasting peace in the world,” he said.

The CA paid glowing tributes to the peacekeepers who have made supreme sacrifice during the UN missions for the cause of bringing peace to strife-torn corners of the world.

He also appreciated all the Bangladeshi men and women who have served and will continue to serve in UN peace support operations.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar said Bangladesh is ready to participate in peacekeeping missions responding to the need of the world.

Army Chief Gen Moeen said the wider participation Bangladeshi peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping operations have made them confident to face any daunting task both at home and abroad.

He thanked and appreciated Bangladeshi peacekeepers for maintaining high degree of professionalism and skill in the peacekeeping missions.

Appreciating the outstanding performance of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, UN Resident Coordinator Renata said Bangladesh’s outstanding contribution does not happen accidentally but it is the reflection of peace-loving people of the country.