UN Peacekeepers Day being observed today

Like other countries, Bangladesh is observing the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers today (May 29) with due respect.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

According the UN peacekeeping office, this year's theme for the Day is "the Future of Peacekeeping". 

On the occasion of the day, a peacekeepers' run/rally-2025 in honour of the peacekeepers is set to start this morning. Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury is scheduled to be present as the chief guest at the rally.

According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), a reception for the injured peacekeepers and a special presentation on UN peacekeeping operations is set to be held at 11:00am at the China-Friendship Conference Centre.

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed is expected to be the chief guest at the function, it said.

Special journal and supplements have been published in national dailies and special talk shows are set to be aired on various private televisions including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar highlighting the significance of the day. 

Arrangements have been made to air documentary prepared on Bangladesh's peacekeeping activities on Bangladesh Television and other private television channels.

Members of advisory council, ambassadors/high commissioners of various countries in Dhaka, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, chiefs of the three services, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Inspector General of Police, senior officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and media personalities, as well as senior military and civilian officials are expected to attend the reception.

According to the UN information, Bangladesh is the 3rd largest contributor of military and police personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping with more than 5,600, including 447 women, deployed to Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon and South Sudan.

In a message, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, "Today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world... Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations -- and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges."

"Today, we honour their service," Guterres stated. "We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We will never forget them - and we will carry their work forward."

"Our personnel are our most important capability. The sacrifices made by our peacekeepers call for more than remembrance; they demand action," said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations.

In 1948, the historic decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements that became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.

Since then, more than two million peacekeepers have served in 71 operations around the world. Today, some 68,000 women and men serve as military, police and civilian personnel in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. One hundred ninety countries currently contribute uniformed personnel.