United News of Bangladesh

A severe funding gap is threatening to undermine UN peacekeeping operations globally, with the Organization warning that delayed payments from Member States could force it to scale back patrols, close field offices, and repatriate thousands of ‘blue helmets.’ The crisis, which UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix described as “more daunting than ever,” stems from partial non-payment of assessed contributions—the mandatory dues Member States provide to fund UN operations in some of the world’s most volatile regions—which are currently well below the approved 2025-26 budget, according to UN. Addressing defence officials and diplomats at a peacekeeping conference in New Delhi this week, Lacroix said: “Unfortunately, we have no other option.” “Our peacekeepers, your peacekeepers, protect people – they make the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of civilians,” he added. Deep cuts across missions The UN Secretary-General has instructed all missions to identify expenditure reductions equal to 15 per cent of their annual budgets. Due to the compressed timeframe, this is expected to result in roughly a 25 per cent cut in both uniformed and civilian personnel. UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon staying put despite Israeli warnings to move Every key area of peacekeeping work will be affected, including patrols, protection duties, logistics, air operations, and civilian support functions. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) warned that fewer peacekeepers on the ground will mean fewer patrols to monitor ceasefires, fewer safe zones for civilians, and reduced humanitarian assistance in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Lebanon, and the Golan Heights. Call for solidarity Lacroix urged all Member States to pay their contributions “in full and on time” and called for collective efforts to counter what he described as “campaigns that spread mis and disinformation about peacekeeping operations.”“We need your understanding and support, but we also need to work together to redress this situation,” he said. UN Secretary-General António Guterres made a similar appeal last week to troop- and police-contributing countries, stressing that without predictable, sufficient, and timely funding, peacekeeping cannot fulfil its Security Council mandates. Budget pressures The General Assembly approved a $5.38 billion peacekeeping budget for 2025-26 in July, slightly lower than the previous year’s $5.6 billion, covering missions and global support centres in Entebbe, Uganda, and Brindisi, Italy. However, its implementation depends on actual contributions received. UN Security Council voices 'strong concern' for UN peacekeepers after Israeli attacks Although peacekeeping accounts for less than half a per cent of global military spending—estimated at $2.7 trillion in 2024—it remains one of the UN’s most critical tools for maintaining international peace and security. “Some people ask why the peacekeeping missions are still needed,” Colin Stewart, former head of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), told UN News shortly before retiring. “The answer is simple – it’s peaceful because the missions have been doing their job. Without it, the mistrust between the sides could easily spiral into confrontation.” A pivotal moment Since 1948, over two million blue helmets from Member States have served in hostile environments, supporting ceasefires and enabling political dialogue and peace processes. More than 4,400 peacekeepers have lost their lives in pursuit of lasting peace. As the UN celebrates its 80th anniversary, Lacroix said the Organization faces “a pivotal juncture” and must adapt its peace operations to evolving global realities. “The challenges ahead are real,” he cautioned, “but so is our capacity to meet them – if we stay united in purpose, pragmatic in action and unwavering in our commitment to peace.” The Bangladesh Armed Forces and the Bangladesh Police have actively participated in United Nations Peace Support Operations (UNPSO) since 1988, with Bangladesh currently the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions as of 2024.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has said the initiation of proceedings against those accused of carrying out enforced disappearances and torture under the previous government in Bangladesh was an important step towards accountability. “I urge full respect for the most scrupulous standards of due process and fair trial, as guaranteed in international law. The protection of victims and witnesses in these sensitive and significant cases must be ensured,” the High Commissioner said. Last week, the country’s International Crimes Tribunal submitted formal charges of crimes against humanity in two cases related to enforced disappearances and torture alleged to have occurred at the Task Force for Interrogation Cell and the Joint Interrogation Cell, respectively.  The Tribunal also issued arrest warrants for mostly former, but also some serving, military officers, including a number of former Directors-General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, as well as former officials of the Rapid Action Battalion. “This marks the first time that formal charges have been brought for enforced disappearances in the country. It is a significant moment for victims and their families,” High Commissioner Türk said. Bangladesh reaffirms its commitment to NAM principles On Saturday, Bangladesh’s army announced that it had detained over a dozen of its officers accused of serious crimes committed under the previous administration.  It is crucial that the army promptly produces these detained officers to a competent civilian court, for fair and transparent criminal proceedings, said the UN rights body chief in a statement issued from Geneva on October 15. One of the key recommendations of the UN Human Rights Office’s Fact-Finding Report into last year’s deadly student-led protests was that those responsible for serious violations of human rights, some of which may also constitute international crimes, must be held to account in accordance with international standards. The crime of enforced disappearances is now formally recognised in Bangladesh for the first time following ratification in August 2024 of the Convention on Enforced Disappearances and an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. SAARC can unlock immense potential for trade and investment: GED Member The High Commissioner also urged the authorities to prioritise the handling of the large number of other pending cases – with some dating back to the previous administration and others since then.  It is crucial to ensure due process and fair resolution in each case, and to release promptly anyone who has been arbitrarily detained, said the UN human rights body. This includes survivors of enforced disappearances and others facing unfounded charges, including journalists and those perceived to be supporters of the former regime.  Many of them continue to face criminal charges, including under the draconian Anti-Terrorism Act. The High Commissioner has also urged the authorities not to pursue the death penalty in any of the cases before its courts, irrespective of the seriousness of the charges. “Beyond ensuring individual accountability, the best way forward for Bangladesh is a comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation, healing and justice," he said. "Such a process must address the legacy of serious human rights violations and ensure that these abuses can never happen again. I also call on the interim Government to deal with ongoing concerns promptly in line with international law,” Türk said.   

The United Nations (UN) has said it will support an 'independent readiness assessment' for Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, following a formal request from the country’s interim government. "I have reaffirmed our full commitment to supporting Bangladesh in ensuring a smooth and sustainable graduation from the LDC category," said United Nations Under-Secretary-General Rabab Fatima on Monday, announcing that her office will support the independent readiness assessment. She commended Bangladesh’s steadfast support to UNOHRLLS. "I am honoured to meet Chief Adviser Prof Yunus." Fatima, who also serves as the UN High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, met the Chief Adviser at his hotel in New York on Monday (US time). SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, and Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury were present at the meeting. The readiness assessment is expected to begin within a month and be completed by mid-January, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told UNB, adding that it will help make an informed decision. He said it will be conducted jointly by an international consultant and a Bangladeshi expert to ensure a comprehensive and balanced evaluation. The assessment will involve extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including government officials, business chambers, development experts, civil society leaders, donors, financial institutions, and political representatives, to determine whether Bangladesh is adequately prepared for the transition. Chief Adviser Prof Yunus welcomed the initiative, emphasising the need for empirical evidence before proceeding with the graduation. “It has become an emotional issue,” Prof Yunus said, highlighting the importance of objective data in informing policy decisions. In response, Fatima noted that the UN's most recent economic data on Bangladesh is over two years old. "A lot has changed since then," she said, underscoring the urgency of reassessing the country’s current economic landscape and for making an informed decision. Prof Yunus also expressed concern over the future of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, which has significantly benefited from trade preferences tied to its LDC status. He observed that graduation could put the sector at risk if adequate transition measures are not in place. Prof Yunus seeks WTO support for Bangladesh’s smooth LDC graduation

Leaders from around the world began arriving Monday at the United Nations as it faces one of the most turbulent periods in its 80-year history. The global challenges are immense: ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, shifting U.S. foreign policy, widespread hunger, and rapidly evolving technologies that outpace global governance. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last week, “International cooperation is straining under pressures unseen in our lifetimes.” Despite these challenges, the annual high-level General Assembly gathering brings together presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs from roughly 150 of the 193 U.N. member states. Guterres emphasized the importance of the meeting even in difficult times. “We are gathering in turbulent — even uncharted — waters,” he said, citing “our planet overheating, new technologies racing ahead without guardrails, inequalities widening by the hour.” He plans to use more than 150 one-on-one meetings with world leaders and ministers to encourage dialogue, bridge divides, mitigate risks, and seek solutions — from conflicts and climate change to regulating artificial intelligence and funding U.N. 2030 goals, including ending poverty and ensuring quality education for all children. “Leaders must make progress, not merely engage in posturing and promises,” he said. But observers remain skeptical. With no ceasefires in Gaza, Ukraine, or Sudan, whether the high-level meeting can achieve meaningful outcomes is uncertain. Richard Gowan, U.N. director at the International Crisis Group, said three issues will likely dominate: U.S. President Donald Trump’s first appearance in his second term, the crisis in Gaza, and the U.N.’s financial and staffing challenges following cuts to U.S. contributions. Gowan noted the nearly two-year Gaza conflict is central, as Israel has launched a major offensive in Gaza City and a U.N.-commissioned report accused Israel of committing genocide — a claim Israel rejected as “distorted and false.” Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour emphasized, “Palestine is going to be the huge elephant in this session of the General Assembly.” Abbas will address the assembly via video after the U.S. refused him a visa, following a resolution allowing it. More than 145 countries already recognize Palestine, and Mansour told The Associated Press, “it's going to be 10 more” at Monday’s meeting. The assembly also plans a Security Council discussion on Gaza. Other key topics include Trump’s speech on Tuesday, climate change, Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, and U.N. reform. Guterres aims to rally support to make the U.N. more responsive amid a 15% budget cut and a 19% reduction in staff for 2026. Gowan said the U.N. remains vital despite its struggles: “The U.N.’s resonance on peace and security issues is unquestionably not what it was, but I think that the organization will continue to muddle through.”

An estimated 14 million children worldwide received no vaccines at all in 2024, mirroring figures from the previous year, according to a joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. The agencies’ annual global vaccine coverage report, released Tuesday, highlights that just 89% of infants received their first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (DTP) vaccine last year, with 85% completing the full three-dose schedule — only a slight improvement from 2023. UN officials say ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and a steep drop in global aid — particularly following the U.S. decision to withdraw support from WHO and Gavi — are undermining immunization progress. US cuts funding to Global Vaccine Alliance citing concerns over science, transparency Nine countries accounted for over half of the zero-dose children: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan, and Angola. WHO also reported a concerning rise in measles, with outbreaks in 60 countries and over 125,000 cases in Europe alone. “Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with vaccine misinformation, threaten to reverse decades of progress,” warned WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Experts stress that 95% measles vaccine coverage is needed to prevent outbreaks — far above current global rates. Source: Agency 

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Thursday said that peacekeeping in the UN Mission is an immensely challenging task due to adverse environments, unfamiliar climates, and cultural differences. “The biggest challenge is staying ready for facing challenges and uncertainty all time, you have to remain alert all time, you have to remain alert mentally and physically,” he said while addressing a programme marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The event was held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center in Dhaka. The day is being observed under the theme The Future of Peacekeeping.  Salehuddin stresses good governance in public investment Dr Salehuddin lauded the contribution of Bangladeshi peacekeepers saying they uphold the country’s image as a peace-loving and developing nation in the global arena. “Bangladesh does not seek peace only for itself—we are committed to promoting peace in every corner of the world,” he added. He said maintaining peace has become more difficult now than ever before. “Expansion of technology and complexities of the usage of technology make it harder, new threats are coming,” he said. He urged the peacekeepers to be well-prepared before joining any mission. “Technology learning is a continuous process, you need to continue that, it is a big challenge,” he said. Dr Salehuddin assured peacekeepers of the government's full support to ensure they are well-equipped for their missions. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Acting Foreign Secretary Md Ruhul Alam Siddique, and UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis also spoke at the event. The programme began with a minute of silence in honour of fallen peacekeepers followed by the screening of a short video documentary. Dr Salehuddin handed over honour crests to two injured peacekeepers—Soldier Md Alamin Hossain and Constable Mahmudul Haque—in recognition of their sacrifice during UN missions.  Next national budget will be business-friendly: Adviser Salehuddin He also unveiled a special peacekeepers’ journal and interacted with Bangladeshi contingents currently deployed across the world through video conferencing.

International aid organizations warned on Friday that Israeli efforts to take control of humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza—backed by a new U.S.-proposed system—risk worsening the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn enclave. The agencies urged Israel to end its three-month blockade of vital supplies, including food and medicine. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said a new American-designed aid framework would launch soon and encouraged U.N. and other relief agencies to join. However, the U.N. has rejected the plan, saying it “weaponizes aid,” could result in mass displacement, and lacks the capacity to deliver adequate assistance while violating neutrality principles. Gaza at critical risk of famine if Israel doesn't end its blockade: Food security experts As aid dwindles, scenes of desperation grow more frequent. In Khan Younis, thousands crowded around a charity kitchen, waving empty pots in hopes of receiving pasta—one of the few food sources left for Gaza’s 2.3 million people. Dozens of such kitchens have already shut due to supply shortages. Raed al-Zaharna, who left without food for his children, said, “I’m thinking now, ‘What will I feed them?’ I can’t find anything.” Since March 2, Israel has blocked food, fuel, medicine, and other supplies from entering Gaza. Officials say the move is meant to pressure Hamas to release hostages and disarm. The blockade resumed alongside renewed bombardments and troop advances following a collapsed ceasefire. Human rights groups have described the blockade as a form of “starvation tactic” and warned it could amount to a war crime. Israel has made clear it will not permit the current U.N.-led aid system to resume, accusing Hamas of diverting supplies—though no evidence has been presented. The U.N. counters that it strictly monitors aid and denies significant diversion. “Humanitarian aid should never be used as a bargaining chip,” said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder. “There is a simple alternative. Lift the blockade, let humanitarian aid in, save lives.” U.S.-Backed Plan Sparks Pushback Huckabee said details of the new system would be unveiled in the coming days, with deliveries expected to begin “very soon.” He emphasized the plan’s independence from Israel, noting that private contractors would manage distribution and perimeter security would be handled by Israeli forces from a distance. “I will be the first to admit it will not be perfect, especially in the early days,” Huckabee said. The system is to be operated by the newly formed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a group comprising former U.S. officials, ex-military personnel, private security contractors, and humanitarian specialists. Documents obtained by the Associated Press indicate the plan involves four secure distribution hubs, each serving 300,000 people—covering only about half of Gaza’s population initially. Joseph Belliveau, executive director of Medglobal, said that during a Geneva briefing led by U.S. envoy team member Aryeh Lightstone, aid groups objected to replacing the U.N.-led system with the new model. Belliveau said humanitarian groups have long followed rigorous protocols to prevent aid diversion. “What we need is to be just allowed (to work). We need that blockade lifted,” he said. U.N. Rejects Israeli Control Over Aid While Israel has yet to publicly disclose details of its intended aid mechanism, the U.N. has said that what has been communicated privately undermines core humanitarian principles. “As the Secretary-General has made clear, the U.N. will not engage in any arrangement that fails to uphold the humanitarian principles: humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” the U.N. emergency aid office said Friday. Elder said the GHF plan appears “designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic.” Aid groups fear the hub system will force Palestinians to relocate or travel long distances, potentially causing further displacement. None of the hubs appear set to be located in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands still reside. Israel has repeatedly urged civilians to leave the north due to ongoing combat with Hamas. Elder warned that this could solidify forced displacement “for political and military purposes.” Vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, and the ill—might be unable to access the hubs. Last month, 20 aid organizations warned the proposed plan would push people into “de facto internment conditions” clustered around the distribution hubs. Some aid officials also expressed concern over Israel's apparent intent to vet aid recipients, which could politicize distribution. GHF has said its plan is need-based. “More children are likely to suffer and risk death and injury as a consequence of this plan,” Elder said. Concerns Over Scale and Effectiveness Humanitarian officials argue that the new system won't come close to meeting Gaza’s immense needs. Hundreds of distribution sites, medical centers, shelters, and support services are currently coordinated by UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Israel barred UNRWA’s operations last year, claiming some staff were linked to Hamas. The agency maintains that it takes swift action against any staff with suspected ties and notes that Israel has not provided evidence of its allegations. UNRWA spokesperson Juliette Touma emphasized, “It is very, very difficult to imagine any humanitarian operation without UNRWA.” Ruth James, Oxfam’s regional humanitarian coordinator, said extensive networks are essential for delivering aid effectively. “That takes time and expertise,” she said. “Any new system that comes in this quickly and without humanitarian expertise and trust from communities will not be able to do that.” Huckabee urged U.N. agencies to support the new mechanism, but concerns remain unaddressed. Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the U.N. humanitarian office, said meetings with Israeli officials have failed to resolve those concerns. He dismissed the claim that aid theft is widespread. “The problem is the blockage of hundreds of aid trucks that should go into the Gaza Strip every single day. That is the root cause of the humanitarian crisis,” Laerke said.  

"The humanitarian situation throughout the Gaza Strip is beyond imagination," the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East warned on Sunday. The UN agency said on social media platform X that "as the complete blocking of supplies essential for survival enters its ninth week, there must be a concerted international effort to stop this humanitarian catastrophe from reaching a new unseen level," reiterating its call for an urgent ceasefire. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run media office warned of an imminent humanitarian disaster in Gaza due to the continued closure of the crossings and a stifling blockade lasting more than 60 days. The office said in a press statement that "the Israeli occupation continues to prevent the entry of baby formula, nutritional supplements, and all forms of humanitarian aid, leaving more than 70,000 children hospitalized due to severe malnutrition." Yemen's internationally recognized prime minister resigns over a political dispute It added that more than 3,500 children under the age of five are at imminent risk of death from starvation. The statement called on the international community to take urgent and immediate action to reopen crossings and allow the entry of baby formula and nutritional supplements into Gaza. Israel halted the flow of goods and supplies into Gaza on March 2 following the expiration of the first phase of a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The second phase has yet to be implemented due to a lack of consensus between the parties.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said that the government will seek cooperation from the United Nations to assess the role of Bangladesh's media and journalists over the past 16 years and to present the truth to the global community. Speaking at a discussion titled 'Bangladesh after the July Uprising: Challenges for the Media' at Chattogram Press Club, he claimed that the current level of freedom of expression and freedom of writing enjoyed by the media in Bangladesh is unprecedented. Alam reaffirmed that the government is committed to upholding freedom of speech, including that of the media. Referring to the recent termination of three journalists from respective outlets, he said the government had no involvement in those decisions, which were made independently by the organizations. The press secretary also instructed the formation of a probe body to investigate allegations that some journalists handed over student protesters to the police during the anti-discrimination student movement in Chattogram in July and took a controversial stance in their reporting. He alleged that a neighboring country's media has been continuously spreading falsehoods and provocative news since the July uprising, in collaboration with elements supporting authoritarianism and allegedly with backing from the Awami League. Govt committed to independent journalism, says Deputy Press Secretary "Their disinformation campaign is expected to intensify ahead of the upcoming elections," he warned, urging everyone to remain vigilant and verify the authenticity of news. Chattogram Press Club and Chattogram Metropolitan Journalists' Union (CMJU) jointly organized the event. Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder delivered keynote speech. Chaired by Press Club's Member Secretary Zahidul Karim Kochi, BFUJ acting President Obaidur Rahman Shahin, Secretary General Kader Gani Chowdhury, CMJU President Md. Shahnewaz, engineer Jane Alam Selim, professional leader Dr. Khurshid Jamil, and Chittagong University's Journalism department Prof Dr Md. Shahidullah, among others, spoke at the event.

The United Nations considers political reforms in Bangladesh an internal matter, said BNP leaders following a roundtable discussion on reform proposals on Saturday. Speaking to reporters after the discussion, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they told the UN that reforms should be implemented as soon as possible, with a focus on the election. "We have insisted that reforms must be carried out without delay. We were the first party to raise the issue of reforms. It is essential that these reforms, particularly in relation to the upcoming election, are completed promptly," he said. Fakhrul said they also talked about holding the next national election after completing the polls-related reforms. The BNP leader said they said the parliament that will be formed through the election will implement the remaining reforms. "We’ve said it’s a continuous process.” Party standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The UN has said it’s an internal affair of Bangladesh, and it is for you (politicians) to sit together and determine what reforms will be made." He also mentioned that the UN expressed hope that a strong democratic government would be established in Bangladesh through the upcoming election that should be in line with the will of the people of Bangladesh. Elections to be useless without reforms, Nahid tells dialogue “He (UN Secretary-General) hoped that the upcoming elections will set a precedent in the world,” Salahuddin said. Replying to a question, Fakhrul said they did not discuss any time-frame for completing the reforms, as it is an internal matter of Bangladesh. "We are in talks with the reform commissions... we are in contact with them, and we have provided what they have asked for… So, there can be no questions regarding those matters. Why should we provide a time-frame to the UN Secretary-General?" he observed. The BNP leader also said they participated in the roundtable organised by the UN’s Dhaka office and shared their views on the reforms and the election. Basically, he said the UN Secretary-General was informed about the reform initiative and the commissions established by the government in this regard. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres joined the roundtable discussion on reform proposals participated by representatives of political parties, National Consensus Building Commission and other stakeholders. Apart from BNP, the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Nagarik Oikya, CPB, AB Party and Ganosanhati Andolon participated in the event. On behalf of BNP, party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed joined the meeting. UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s Law Adviser Dr Asif, and representatives of different other political parties, Prof Ali Riaz, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Badiul Alam Majumdar and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis were, among others, present at the dialogue held at Hotel InterContinental.