Will maintain friendship with all to move forward

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh has to maintain friendship with all as the government wants to turn the country into a developed and prosperous one.

"We want to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country. I think Bangladesh has to move forward maintaining friendship with all to this end," she said.

The premier was addressing a function at Shenakunja at Dhaka Cantonment on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers yesterday.

She joined the event from Gono Bhaban through videoconferencing.

Hasina said the prime task of the government is to improve the economic condition of the people of the country, remove poverty, and ensure education, healthcare and employment for the future generations.

The theme of this year's International Day of UN Peacekeepers is: "The road to a lasting peace: Leveraging the power of youth for peace and security".

The PM said keeping the theme of the Day in mind, the government wants to establish young and youth force as one of the agents for ensuring world peace.

"I believe that our young members of the armed forces and police force are ready to face the challenges of establishing world peace in the 21st century."

The PM said the government wants to prepare the future force to face these challenges to ensure peace. "The young generation has to learn that peace is the only way of development, security and welfare."

Hasina said Bangladesh always stands ready to establish peace at any corner in the world under the UN Security Council.

She asked peacekeepers of Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and Police to accomplish their responsibilities with professionalism, honesty, integrity and sincerity.

"Bangladesh has been playing a very important role in maintaining world peace and security as well as building culture of peace in the world. Bangladesh's peacekeepers are working at different UN peace missions risking their lives particularly in conflict-prone countries," the PM said.

She said steps have been taken to develop Bangladesh's peacekeepers as the most qualified through providing training to them with improved technology and equipment to face the new challenges.

Highlighting Bangladeshi peacekeepers' contributions in maintaining world peace, the premier said they have brightened the image of the country alongside upholding flag of the United Nations by demonstrating their efficiency.

"That's why Bangladesh has now become one of the highest number of peacekeeper providing countries in the world," she said.

The premier said some 6,742 peacekeepers are deployed in different UN missions right now and officials at the ranks of major general and brigadier are also there as deputy force commander and sector commander respectively.

She hoped that Bangladeshi peacekeepers would be able to establish the country as a strong peace building nation in the world alongside upholding dignity of the national flag.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Army Chief Gen Aziz Ahmed and UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo also spoke at the programme.

The PM also interacted with peacekeepers at various places across the globe through videoconferencing.

At the start of the programme, a minute's silence was observed to show respect to those peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives for establishing peace.

A short video documentary on Bangladesh's peacekeeping missions was played at the programme.

The foreign minister handed awards to the family members of the deceased and injured peacekeepers for their sacrifice and bravery.