Lauding the role played by Bangladeshis peacekeepers abroad, AK Abdul Momin, foreign minister of Bangladesh, said they were branding the country abroad as a “peace-loving country”.

"Even during this global pandemic, our peacekeepers continue to serve in various peacekeeping missions, fearlessly rendering their responsibilities,” Momin said while inaugurating the 'Peacekeepers Day Rally: Run to Commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2021' in Dhaka.

The country is one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping force, starting in 1988. Around 8500 of its personnel are deployed across eight countries currently, and they are responsible to maintain law and order, Dhaka Tribune said.

Significantly, Dhaka also contributes women personnel to UN peace missions. 

“Our peacekeepers are deployed in some of the most challenging hotspots in the world where they diligently work for peace, security, and human rights of the local people and the protection of civilians along with performing other multi-faceted roles,” Momin recalled. 

Recalling his time in the UN, he said, “During my six-year tenure at the UN as Bangladesh's Permanent Representative, with the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, I could engage women peacekeepers for the first time and many more police and naval forces in the UN peacekeeping missions.”

(SAM)