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Published on September 29, 2015
"The national peacekeeping strategy paper is now at final stage. As the leading troops and police contributor, Bangladesh stands ready to go further," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told a summit on "Peacekeeping Operations" at UN headquarters here on Monday.
Sheikh Hasina co-chaired the summit with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of UN General Assembly (UNGA).
She said Bangladesh's commitment to UN peacekeeping is strong and steadfast. In Mali, DR Congo and Central African Republic, Bangladesh was the quickest to deploy troops under blue helmet.
Sheikh Hasina recalled some pledges of Dhaka in last year's summit and said Bangladesh is committed to providing infantry battalions, police units, utility helicopters, engineering and maritime units, and other enabling assets to address the existing and projected gaps in peacekeeping missions.
She said Bangladesh recognizes the need for modernization of peacekeeping operations with new technologies. Their use should follow the principles of UN peacekeeping, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh has established Bangladesh Institute for Peace Support Operations and Training (BIPSOT). "The institute is being developed as a centre of excellence for training of peacekeepers, especially women peacekeepers."
The Prime Minister said Bangladesh is committed to provide customized training and technical support to other troops and police contributing countries. Bangladesh is also committed to protect civilians and promote gender and human rights issues, she added.
She called for "zero tolerance" to sexual misconduct by peacekeepers, saying highest priority should be given to the safety and security of peacekeepers.
Expressing her full support to the Secretary General's recommendations, the Prime Minister urged all members of the peacekeeping community to work together to ensure peace and security around the world.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and head of state and government of major peacekeeper providing and recipient countries, including Ethiopia, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Rwanda and Uruguay, took part in the discussion.
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