DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the peacekeepers of Bangladesh Armed Forces and Bangladesh Police to keep the national flag flying with honor and pride across the world.

The premier was addressing a commemoration program on the occasion of the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2015’ in city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) on Sunday.

Addressing the function, she said; “I hope, peacekeeping activities of Bangladesh would flourish further and the peacekeepers of Bangladesh, with honor and pride, would keep flying our ever-shining national flag around the world.”

The premier said; “Our country became the member state of United Nations on 17 September 1974. On 25th September 1974, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in his historical speech at UN General Assembly, assured continued support of Bangladesh in peace building.”

She quoted Bangabandhu as saying, “Peace is an imperative for the survival of mankind. It represents the deepest aspirations of men and women throughout the world. Peace to endure must, however, be peace based upon justice.”
 
“Then onwards we are maintaining effective diplomatic relations with friendly countries and pursuing the initiative of United Nations in promoting global peace, she added.

In this regard, participation of Bangladesh Armed Forces and Bangladesh Police in United Nations peacekeeping operations is one of the most notable contributions,” the PM elaborated. 

She said that country’s peacekeepers have created an outstanding image of Bangladesh that enhanced the diplomatic ties with other countries, expressing her pride in becoming Bangladesh one of the largest troop contributors to peacekeeping missions.

According to UN’s latest release, presently 107,805 peacekeepers of 122 countries are deployed across the world. Of them 9,593 including 205 female peacekeepers are from Bangladesh, she informed the audience.

The premier vowed to send more peacekeepers to UN missions saying; “There was no hesitation on our part to send Bangladeshi troops to far flung conflict ridden and dangerous regions of the world under the sponsorship of Security Council Mandate.”

Addressing the peacekeepers, Hasina said; “Despite loss of life and property, the professionalism, dedication, courage and friendly attitude of our peacekeepers are praised in entire peacekeepers’ community, and they are often referred as model peacekeepers.”

“Moreover, earnings from your salary and reimbursement bring a huge amount of Foreign Currency as remittance that boosts our national economy. Besides peacekeeping, you are also participating in various nation building activities,” she added.

The peacekeepers of Bangladesh completed participation in 50 missions and are performing duty in 10 missions. As of today, 124 peacekeepers of the country were martyred in peace missions.
 
The premier called upon the members of the Armed Forces, the Police and other peacekeepers to maintain their professionalism, honesty, dedication, courage and friendly attitude in the peacekeeping operations.

“Government would continue to undertake all necessary steps to upgrade the army and police, so that they can operate in the peacekeeping missions more effectively and efficiently,” she assured them.

Bangladesh Armed Forces and Bangladesh Police in association with the office of United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh organized the program to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2015.

BDST: 1340 HRS, MAY 31, 2015
HB/RS/SMS