Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Wednesday that peacekeepers from Bangladesh are serving in conflict-affected and humanitarian crisis zones around the world with great courage, patience and dedication.
Their (peacekeepers’) contribution to restoring peace in volatile regions has earned global recognition and respect, the prime eminister said at a program held at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment, marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
Bangladesh observed the day with due dignity alongside other countries. This year’s theme was “Invest in Peace.”
As the observance coincided with the Eid-ul-Azha holidays on May 29, all programs were rescheduled and held on June 10 (Wednesday).
The event began with a one-minute silence in memory of peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty, followed by a special presentation highlighting UN peacekeeping operations.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Carol Flore-Smereczniak delivered the welcome address. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman spoke as the senior-most peacekeeper. Defence Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam also addressed the event.
The prime minister said peacekeepers serving in challenging environments far from home continue to contribute to global peace with courage and commitment. He paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and expressed deep sympathy for their families and injured personnel.
He also handed over honorary awards to the families of fallen peacekeepers and injured personnel. Six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal this year for their supreme sacrifice in UN peacekeeping missions.
Later, the prime minister interacted with Bangladeshi peacekeepers serving in various missions through video teleconference.
Diplomats, chiefs of the three-armed services, the principal staff fficer of the Armed Forces Division, the Inspector General of Police (in routine charge), senior civil and military officials, and UN representatives attended the event.
On the occasion, special talk shows were aired on television channels, and the 12th edition of the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers Journal” was published.
