Brand Bangladesh as powerful peace promoting country: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged Bangladeshi peacekeepers to carry out their jobs properly, saying that establishing peace is a noble goal. 

She also urged them to represent Bangladesh as a powerful peace-promoting country.

The prime minister was speaking at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre as the keynote guest for a program commemorating the "International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2022."

She was virtually present at the occasion from her official Ganabhaban office in the city on Sunday.

Keeping in mind this year's theme, "People Peace Progress: The Power of Partnerships," the prime minister committed to play a more effective role in promoting global peace.

She stated that maintaining global peace is now much more difficult than in the past, given the world's current perspective and the rapid spread of technology, while entrenched interests of states and non-state actors are becoming new challenges as technology advances.

The prime minister thanked the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for helping to improve the country's image through humanitarian and social initiatives in addition to their peacekeeping duties.

She recalled that every head of government and state has appreciated the efforts of Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their excellent contribution to promoting peace in the countries where they have deployed.

The premier also spoke on the phone with some Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers serving in various UN peacekeeping deployments across the world.

Anisul Huq, Minister of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, and Military Adviser to the UN Peace Operations Department General Birame Diop also spoke at the event, with UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis giving the welcome address.

At the occasion, the law minister presented awards to family members of two deceased peacekeepers and 14 injured peacekeepers on behalf of the prime minister, in recognition of their great sacrifice in creating global peace.

A peacekeeper received a bravery award as well.

A one-minute silence was observed at the start of the event to honor the peacekeepers who gave their lives for the noble cause of promoting global peace.