President, PM greet UN peacekeepers

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President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today extended heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all members of the UN peacekeeping missions, marking the ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2023’ to be observed tomorrow in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the globe.

In separate messages, they recalled all the valiant members of UN peacekeepers who made supreme sacrifices for upholding world peace and paid deep homage to them.

On the occasion, the President, in his message, said: “I welcome the initiative of observing the ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2023’ in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world.”

“On this auspicious occasion, I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all the members of the UN peacekeepers including Bangladesh,” the head of the state added.

He paid his deep homage to the valiant members of UN peacekeepers who made supreme sacrifices for upholding world peace.

The President said Bangladesh government has been consistent in upholding the principle ‘Friendship to all, malice towards none’ as enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In continuation of this, Bangladesh is doing the sacred job of establishing peace and harmony in the world today and has become a glorious example in peacekeeping, he added.

The peacekeepers of Bangladesh have been able to attain credibility by dint of their highest standard of professionalism, devotion and bravery since their first engagement to the UN peacekeeping operations in 1988, said Shahabuddin.

He said the outstanding contribution of the country’s peacekeepers have upheld the image of Bangladesh in the international arena.

“Bangladesh is one of the largest troops contributing nations in the UN peacekeeping missions,” he said, adding: “Professionalism along with utmost sincerity, discipline, efficiency and humanitarian activities have contributed to the success of our peacekeepers.”

The President hoped Bangladeshi peacekeepers, performing their duties with honesty, devotion and professionalism, will be able to continue this trend in establishing world peace, harmony, and amity in the days to come.

He wished the observance of the ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2023’ a grand success.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proudly recalled the impressive role of Bangladesh in the UN peacekeeping operations and extended her heartiest greetings to all Bangladeshi peacekeeping members.

The premier said:” “I am happy to know that the ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2023’ is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world.”

The theme of day ‘Peace Begins Within Me’ is appropriable, she said.

“I remember with profound respect those peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of world peace and made the country’s flag brighter in the globe,” she said.

She solemnly prayed for the salvation of their departed souls and conveyed her wholehearted sympathy to their bereaved family members.

The premier further said that Bangladesh became a member of the United Nations on 17 September 1974.

“The greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in his historic speech at the United Nations General Assembly on September 25 of the same year, said, ‘Peace is absolutely necessary for the protection of the existence of mankind. The hopes and aspirations of all men and women in the world are embodied in this peace.’ In the UNGA, he expressed firm commitment to Bangladesh’s continued support to establish peace all over the world,” she added.

Since then, Bangladesh has been maintaining good relations with all the peaceful and friendly countries of the world and has been actively participating in all the peacekeeping activities conducted under the United Nations to establish world peace, she said.

She went on saying that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was awarded the ‘Joliot-Curie Peace Medal’ on 23 May 1973 in recognition of his contribution to the establishment of world peace and human rights.

“In line with the philosophy of the Father of the Nation, we have established Bangladesh as a dedicated proponent of world peace,” said Sheikh Hasina.

“In 1997, we placed a declaration and programme of actions titled ‘Culture of Peace’ to the United Nations in the form of a resolution which was unanimously adopted on 13 September 1999,” she said.

Later, the United Nations declared the year 2000 as ‘International Year of Culture of Peace’ and the years 2001-2010 as ‘Culture of Peace and the decade of non-Violence’, she added.

She said Bangladesh considers that the establishment of ‘Culture of Peace’ is essential to comprehensively consolidate the message of peace and implement the ‘Agenda-2030’.

“Our efforts ‘Women Peace and Security Agenda’ are playing a significant role to ensure the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in peacemaking, conflict prevention and peace building,” she added.

Bangladesh has been playing an important role in ensuring women’s participation and protection in the peacekeeping operations, she said.

“Bangladesh is committed to global peacekeeping and peace-building efforts. We are the highest peacekeeping contributing country to the United Nations. The unique contribution of our peacekeepers to the UN multinational forces has brightened the image of the nation and made Bangladesh a dignified country in the world. At the same time, it played an important role in strengthening diplomatic ties with the economically and militarily powerful countries of the world,” she continued.

“Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladeshi peacekeepers in different parts of the world have been working with high standard of professionalism, efficiency and dedication for the cause of establishing peace, and have won the trust and confidence of the people of those countries’ by restoring peace to the war-ravaged countries,” the premier said.

She said the pride and dignity that Bangladesh has gained today as an actively participating country in promoting peace around the world is “the outcome of outstanding professionalism, courage, bravery and skills of our peacekeepers”.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, I reiterate my full support to the UN for the protection and promotion of world peace,” she added.

She said the Awami League-led government will continue its all efforts so that Bangladeshi peacekeepers can respond to the call of the UN with more confidence.

“I hope that our peacekeepers will establish Bangladesh as a powerful peace building nation in the world through their expertise, professionalism, courage and dedication in the UN peacekeeping operations, and will further brighten the country’s image in the world,” she added.

The premier wished the ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2023’ a complete success.

“I also wish all the peacekeepers a grand success and well-being,” she added.

Every year on May 29, the United Nations commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

On the day, people pay tribute to all the men and women who have served as military, police or civilians in UN Peacekeeping operations.

Besides, people commend their professionalism, dedication and courage and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

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