BD’s peacekeeping legacy highlighted
Bangladesh’s contribution to international peacekeeping and the sacrifices made by its personnel came into focus on Monday as State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladeshi peacekeepers continue to risk their lives in United Nations missions to uphold global peace and safeguard the country’s reputation.
Speaking at a discussion titled “Contribution of Bangladeshi Peacekeepers to World Peace” at the CIRDAP auditorium in Dhaka, the state minister said the role played by Bangladeshi peacekeepers is not always fully appreciated internationally despite their significant contributions in conflict-affected regions.
The programme was organised by the Defence Journalists Association of Bangladesh (DJAB).
“Having attended various conferences in African countries, I have realised that many do not adequately understand the significant role our peacekeepers play. They risk their lives for a cause greater than themselves,” she said.
Paying tribute to the families of peacekeepers, Shama Obaed Islam acknowledged the sacrifices made by relatives who support their loved ones despite the uncertainty surrounding peacekeeping deployments.
“I would also like to remember their families today. Every family sends their father, husband or brother on these missions without knowing whether they will return. Yet they continue to support them out of love for the country,” she said.
The discussion was chaired by DJAB President Alamgir Hossain, while DJAB General Secretary Tarikul Islam Masum moderated the event.
Presenting the keynote paper, Dr Towhidul Haque, Associate Professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research of the University of Dhaka, outlined Bangladesh’s long-standing engagement in UN peacekeeping operations.
He said Bangladesh entered UN peacekeeping in 1988 with only 15 military observers and has since emerged as one of the largest contributors to such missions worldwide.
According to Dr Haque, more than 2,06,000 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served in over 63 missions across 43 countries. At present, 4,212 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police are deployed in different UN operations around the world.
He also noted that 175 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving international peace efforts, describing their sacrifice as a lasting example of commitment and bravery.
Speakers at the event highlighted several notable achievements by Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including contributions to the reconstruction of Sierra Leone, the deployment of the first all-female Muslim police unit in Haiti, healthcare and infrastructure initiatives in Africa, and the recent award of the prestigious UN Dag Hammarskjöld Medal.
Former DJAB presidents Abul Khayer and Mamunur Rashid, senior member Masud Karim, along with several professors and researchers from Dhaka University, attended the programme.
The speakers called for continued policy backing from the government and enhanced international cooperation to maintain and strengthen Bangladesh’s longstanding role in UN peacekeeping operations.
