May 29 was the 75th anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping, and the International Day for UN Peacekeepers Day was observed in Bangladesh in a befitting manner to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions made by peacekeepers worldwide in upholding global peace, security, and stability. I pay solemn tribute to the valiant peacekeepers. Particularly, I recall with deepest homage the heroic peacekeepers who made the supreme sacrifice, and those who were injured in the line of duty for the cause of peace. As we reflect on their remarkable efforts, we renew our commitment to the principles and ideals of the United Nations and its peacekeeping endeavours.
The greatest Bengalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, provided a very solid foundation of our foreign policy. His peace-centric foreign policy has been resonated in his famous dictum, “friendship to all, malice to none”. Bangabandhu, having pragmatic and holistic world views, made it clear that striving for peace and justice are the right responses to the world's crises. In his maiden speech at the United Nations General Assembly in 1974, Bangabandhu resolutely affirmed our strong commitment to global peace and justice, stating that “I know that the souls of our martyrs join us in pledging that, the Bangalee nation fully commits itself to the building of a world order, in which the aspiration of all men for peace and justice will be realized”.
As a nation, we experienced horrors, atrocities and genocide during the great War of Liberation in 1971. Our commitment to peace is imbued from practitioner point of view. Our commitment towards peace is also reflected in the Article 25 of our Constitution that sets ‘promotion of international peace, security, and solidarity' as a fundamental principle of our state policy. It is our constitutional obligation to support the oppressed people throughout the world.
Our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRohman in his maiden speech at the UNGA in 1974 also stated that “Peace is imperative for the survival of humanity”. No wonder Bangladesh holds peacekeeping close to its heart. For decades, we have been actively engaged in United Nations peacekeeping operations, working tirelessly to foster peace in conflict-ridden regions. Under the able leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is now the top troops and police-contributing country to the UN peacekeeping missions. This is the clear manifestation of our unwavering commitment towards world peace and stability. Today, we proudly continue to shoulder the responsibility of restoring and preserving peace, leaving an indelible mark on the history of international peacekeeping.
Currently, 7,436 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are deployed in nine regions, composed of both men and women from our Armed and Police forces. So far, 188,558 of our peacekeepers have completed more than 56 Missions in 40 regions. In addition to troops and police officers, Bangladesh is now sending civilian officers to peacekeeping missions as judicial and prison correctional officers to work for rehabilitation, justice and accountability.
We are not only the top troops-contributing country to UN Peacekeeping. In order to have sustainable peace across nations, Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina put forward a vision and a philosophy to the world. As we all know, most of violence, war and terror emanate from a mindset of intolerance and disrespect towards others. Therefore, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina proposed a resolution popularly known as “Culture of Peace '', and it has been adopted with consensus. The basic element of it is to end the venom of hatred, and promote a mindset of tolerance and respect towards others irrespective of ethnicity, colour, religion, and race to have a world of sustainable peace across nations.
This year, the United Nations has awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to five fallen Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in 2022. We honour their memory and express our deepest gratitude to their families for their immense sacrifice. During the ceremony on May 29, Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over our own memorial awards to the family members of these five brave fallen Bangladeshi peacekeepers. As of now, 167 brave peacekeepers from Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives.
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This year, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers held a special significance as we are commemorating the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping. This year's theme has been“Peace begins with me”. The theme pays tribute to the resilience of the communities that the peacekeepers serve, who continue to endeavour for peace in spite of many hindrances. This theme also calls on each of us to join the global movement for peace. Indeed we, the peace-loving people of Bangladesh, can relate to this year's theme very deeply; owing to our inherent tradition of practising social and religious harmony, and history of following the path of peaceful co-existance.Under the visionary leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,we continue to foster broader partnership with regional, sub-regional, and international bodies including South-South and Triangular Cooperation.
For more than three decades, our brave men and women in uniform have exemplified unwavering dedication, professionalism, and courage in the face of adversity. They have served as peacekeepers in some of the most challenging environments around the world. Their selflessness and commitment to the cause of peace embody the very spirit upon which the United Nations was founded.Our peacekeepers have been working in collaboration with all stakeholders to save lives and help making tangible progress in bolstering peace and stability, socio-economic development in the conflict areas. In many cases, they have gone beyond the traditional way of peacekeeping, and used innovative means to engage meaningfully with local communities. Their steadfast and proactive roles have also prevented the relapse of conflicts and sustained peace.
During the global Pandemic, when most of the world affairs came to a standstill, our peacekeepers remained fearless in rendering their responsibilities in the peacekeeping missions. This shows the resilience of Bangladesh which has enabled them for all necessary adaptation in shifting challenges and transitions.
Bangladesh has always championed the central role of women in peace and security. In 2000, Bangladesh spearheaded the UN Security Council flagship Resolution 1325 on “Women, Peace and Security Agenda”. Bangladesh is also one of the pioneering countries in sending female peacekeepers to the peacekeeping missions. Currently, 572 Bangladeshi female peacekeepers are serving in the UN peacekeeping operations, and in total 2,728 female peacekeepers have served under the Blue Helmet. Their participation is a bright spot in our peacekeeping journey and a shining example of overall women empowerment in Bangladesh.
In fact, we must strive to increase the participation of women and ensure their meaningful involvement in decision-making processes at all levels. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the govt. and non-govt. stakeholders, have been working to implement “National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security” in an inclusive manner. With a view to achieve these visions and goals, we are also holding, in Dhaka on 25-26 June 2023, a Preparatory Conference of the next UN Peacekeeping Ministerial to be held in Uganda at the end of this year. The theme of the Preparatory Conference is “Women in Peacekeeping”.
Today, it is crucial that we reflect upon the evolving nature of peacekeeping, and adapt our strategies to address new challenges. The world has witnessed profound changes in recent years, with complex conflicts, asymmetric threats, and the rise of non-state actors, posing formidable challenges to international peace and security. We must enhance our efforts to prevent conflicts, protect civilians, and promote sustainable peace in this rapidly changing world. We must also do our part to ensure the safety and security of our peacekeepers and help keep their morale high and unwavering. Bangladesh is continuously negotiating with the UN and other relevant stakeholders so that the peacekeeping troops are safe during deployment and that their services are adequately compensated.
In conclusion, I extend my deepest appreciation to all the peacekeepers who have devoted their lives to this noble cause. Let us salute their unwavering commitment, and I stand in solidarity with their efforts. I also hope that our peacekeepers will continue to serve in the UN peacekeeping operations with unceasing integrity and commitment towards global peace and stability. At the same time, I take this opportunity to call upon all to devote themselves and remain vigilant for ensuring peace, prosperity and development at national, regional and international levels; as the harbingers of chaos, violence and instability are active everywhere.As we move forward, let us stand united in our pursuit of peace, justice, and security for all. Together, we can build a future where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and negotiation, where prosperity and development prevail.
Dr AK Abdul Momen is the foreign minister of Bangladesh
