Bangladesh's peacekeeping role lauded

United Nations Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, at a “Preparatory Conference on Peacekeeping” acknowledged and appreciated Bangladesh's role in peacekeeping operationists of the UN.

The two-day conference, that started on Monday, was hosted jointly by the Netherlands and Rwanda in The Hague. 

Recalling his visit to Bangladesh, Lacroix praised Bangladesh's role in UN peacekeeping missions as a major contributor of troops and police personnel and recognised commendable quality of professional trainings being conducted by Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations and Training (BIPSOT).

The UN official also hoped that an added attention would be given on the safety of civilians in the host country.

Earlier in the day, the conference was jointly inaugurated by UN Under-Secretary General Jean Pierre Lacroix, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok, Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld, Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands Karabaranga and African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security Smail Cherugi.

As many as 70 countries joined this conference. The Bangladesh delegation, led by Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, included Brig Gen Md Nurul Anwar, director general of Operations and Plan Directorate of Armed Forces Division and KH Mahid Uddin, deputy inspector general of Bangladesh Police.

Ambassador Belal in his speech reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to peacekeeping missions by the UN and conveyed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's personal commitment on Bangladesh's readiness to contribute troops and police in UN missions for strengthening peace and stability around the world.

He also urged the UN to consider recruiting a larger number of females from Bangladesh armed forces and police in UN contingents.

Paying tribute to all UN peacekeepers, including 145 from Bangladesh, who made ultimate sacrifice, Ambassador Belal reiterated that Bangladesh is committed to deploy its forces after necessary training.