DHAKA, May 28, 2024 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today extended heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all members of the UN peacekeeping missions, marking the 'International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2024' to be observed tomorrow in Bangladesh and elsewhere across the globe.

In separate messages, they recalled all the valiant members of UN peacekeepers, who made supreme sacrifices for upholding world peace, and paid deep homage to them.

On the occasion, the President, in his message, said: “I welcome the initiative of observing the'International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2024' in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world."
 
“On this auspicious occasion, I would like to convey my heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all the members of the UN peacekeepers, including Bangladesh," the head of the state added.
 
He paid deep homage to the valiant members of UN peacekeepers who made supreme sacrifices for upholding world peace.
 
The President said Bangladesh government has been consistent in upholding the principle 'Friendship to all, malice towards none' as enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
 
Bangladesh is playing a vocal and strong role in ending the ongoing wars and conflicts in different parts of the world, he added.
 
In this continuation, today Bangladesh has become a glorious example of peace and harmony in the world, he said, adding that since 1988, the highest standard of professionalism, devotion, bravery and outstanding contribution of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping has upheld the image of Bangladesh at the international arena.
 
The peacekeepers of Bangladesh have also been able to secure a dignified status in peacekeeping missions, said Shahabuddin.
 
"Bangladesh is one of the largest troops contributing nations in the UN peacekeeping missions," he said, adding: “Utmost sincerity, discipline, efficiency and humanitarian activities have played immense role in the success of our peacekeepers."
 
The President hoped Bangladeshi peacekeepers, performing their duties with honesty, devotion and professionalism, will be able to continue this trend in establishing world peace, harmony, and amity in the days to come.
 
He wished the observance of the 'International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2024' a grand success. 
 
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proudly recalled the impressive role of Bangladesh in the UN peacekeeping operations and extended her heartiest greetings to all Bangladeshi peacekeeping-members.
 
The Premier said:" Like other host and partner countries, including the United Nations, celebrating of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2024 in Bangladesh delighted me.”
 
She believed that the theme set for this day ‘Fit for the Future, Building Better Together,’ is time-befitting.
 
She remembered with profound respect the sacrifice of peacekeepers, who lost their lives for world peace.
 
The Premier prayed for the eternal peace of departed souls and expressed her deepest condolences to the bereaved family members.
 
 Bangladesh became a member of the United Nations on September 17, 1974, and the greatest Bengali of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in his historic speech at the United Nations General Session on September 25 of the same year, said, ‘Peace is absolutely necessary to protect the existence of humanity. The deep hopes and aspirations of all men and women worldwide are embodied in this peace. Peace can never last if it is not founded 
on justice.’ In the General Session, he expressed a firm commitment to Bangladesh’s continued support for peace in the world,” she said.
 
Since then, Bangladesh has maintained good relations with all the peaceful and friendly countries of the world and has actively participated in all the peacekeeping activities, conducted under the mandate of the United Nations to establish global peace, said Sheikh Hasina.
  
"Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib was awarded the ‘Julio-Curie Peace Award’ on May 23, 1973, in recognition of his contribution to establishing world peace and human rights," she said.
 
Following the philosophy of the Father of the Nation, Bangladesh has established itself as a staunch proponent of world peace, she added.

 “We put forward the Declaration and Program Resolution on ‘Culture of Peace’ at the United Nations in 1997, which was unanimously adopted in 1999. Later, the United Nations declared 2000 as the ‘International Year of Culture of Peace’ and 2001-2010 as the ‘Culture of Peace and the Decade of Non-violence’,” she said.
 
Bangladesh feels that establishing a ‘Culture of Peace’ is essential to comprehensively consolidating the message of peace and implementing Agenda 2030, she said.
 
Bangladesh's commitment to global peacekeeping and peace-building efforts is unwavering, she said, adding that through the professionalism, skill, and dedication of the country’s peacekeepers in establishing peace and earning the trust of the local communities, Bangladesh has earned the distinction of being the country that sends the highest number of peacekeepers to the United 
Nations.
  
“Our efforts in promoting women's rights and gender equality are instrumental in implementing the ‘Women, Peace, and Security agenda.’ The reputation of Bangladesh has increased due to the participation of our women in peacekeeping operations,” she said.
 
The Awami League government remains steadfast in its efforts to support the peacekeepers, enabling them to respond to the United Nations' call with even greater confidence, she said.
 
The Premier is hopeful that the courage and dedication of the country’s peacekeeping members will elevate Bangladesh's standing as a formidable peacekeeping nation, tirelessly working to prevent conflicts, protect civilians, ensure human rights, and establish peace.
 
“Together, we will continue to enhance our country's image and make it shine brighter,” she said.
 
Sheikh Hasina wished all the programs undertaken on the occasion of the ‘International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers-2024’ grand success and well-being for all peacekeepers.