Uphold image of the country
President Hamid urges peacekeepers
President Abdul Hamid yesterday asked Bangladeshi peacekeepers to uphold the country’s image in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions through their heroic work, talent, and prudence.
“I expect your (peacekeepers) work will establish Bangladesh as a peace-loving country by upholding its national flag in the global arena,” he said.
The president was addressing a programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka on the occasion of International Day of UN Peacekeepers yesterday.
President Hamid emphasised the need for enhancing IT expertise of peacekeepers to remain on a par with their peers around the world.
“Bangladesh’s active participation in UN peacekeeping and other international forums has taken the country to a dignified position globally. Besides, peacekeepers are contributing largely to the country’s economy, and strengthening bilateral and multilateral diplomatic relations,” he observed.
Referring to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s firm desire to establish peace all over the world, as said in his speech at UN General Assembly in 1974, Abdul Hamid said, “Since then Bangladesh has been playing an important role in maintaining good relations with different peace loving and friendly countries in the world by taking part in the UN peacekeeping mission.”
The president said a total of 6,582 peacekeepers in nine missions are working in 40 countries.
There are 214 female peacekeepers currently. He mentioned Bangladesh will take steps to increase women’s participation.
The president conferred his tribute to families of deceased peacekeepers and those who were injured on duty.
He later exchanged views with peacekeepers in Mali, Congo and Lebanon through video call, encouraging and inspiring them to continue their activities professionally.
Earlier, Abdul Hamid watched a short documentary on Bangladeshi peacekeepers working in different UN missions.
The president also unveiled a special postal stamp on the occasion of “30 years of Bangladesh in UN Peacekeeping Operations”.