Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Ambassador Rabab Fatima has underlined the need for adequate funding of peacekeeping missions to enable them carry out their diverse mandates effectively.

“It is imperative to ensure that the peacekeeping missions are sufficiently funded,” she said, emphasising that a “sufficient and sustained” budget is critical for the UN peacekeeping missions.

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Ambassador Fatima was speaking during the UN peacekeeping budget session at the UN headquarters in New York on Monday.

Bangladesh is one of the top troops-contributing country in the UN peacekeeping operations, with nearly 7,000 personnel serving in seven missions, according to the Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN.

Ambassador Fatima underscored the need for timely reimbursement to the troops-contributing countries for their personnel and equipment support.

The envoy also urged the member states to take into account the impact of Covid-19 on peacekeeping operations and ensure sufficient budgetary allocation to allow the peacekeepers cope with the challenges.

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She praised the peacekeepers for their continued efforts to fulfill their mandates in maintaining peace, stability and security in the conflict-prone countries and regions, despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Highlighting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government’s endeavours in the context of female participation in peacekeeping operations, Ambassador Fatima said an increased participation of women in peacekeeping has been a key strategic objective of the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security in Bangladesh.

She expressed concern at the low representation of women in the peacekeeping operations, especially in the senior leadership positions.

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“We must continue to invest in our collective efforts towards full, effective and meaningful participation of women at all peacekeeping levels and positions,” said the Ambassador.

The Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly sits in May every year to consider the budget of the UN peacekeeping missions.