Bangladesh and the United States are holding the ninth annual bilateral security dialogue in Dhaka as part of "comprehensive security relationship" between the two governments. Khandker Masudul Alam, Director General (North America) is leading the Bangladesh delegation while the US Side is led by Mira Resnick, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Regional Security in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. The dialogue began at 9am on Tuesday (September 05, 2023) at the Foreign Service Academy The security dialogue is an annual, civilian-led discussion that touches on all elements of the security relationship between the two countries. Read more: Bangladesh envoy among diplomats taken on tour of Rakhine to view facilities for Rohingya repatriation Representatives from both sides will discuss Indo-Pacific regional issues, security and human rights, military cooperation, peacekeeping, security assistance, and counterterrorism, among other topics, said the US Embassy in Dhaka in a media note. The United States and Bangladesh have a strong security partnership and share many interests in the Indo-Pacific region, said the embassy. Both countries share a vision to ensure the Indo-Pacific region is free, open, peaceful, and secure.   This year, the security dialogue closely follows the bilateral defense dialogue, which took place August 23 and 24 in Dhaka. Read more: Bangladesh, Gambia agree on co-deployment of troops in UN peacekeeping The bilateral defense dialogue featured senior officers and civilians from the US and Bangladeshi militaries. They discussed a range of issues specific to the military-to-military relationship, including military education, peacekeeping and upcoming military exercises, including next year’s Disaster Response Exercise & Exchange. The security dialogue covers a wide range of issues related to partnership between the two countries including strategic priorities and regional security issues, defense cooperation, civilian security cooperation, UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism. Read more: US Deputy Assistant Secretary Mira Resnick in Dhaka

Bangladesh and the United States will hold the ninth annual bilateral security dialogue in Dhaka on September 5 as part of the "comprehensive security relationship" between the two governments. The US delegation will be led by Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Mira Resnick. She arrived in Dhaka on Monday (September 4, 2023). The security dialogue is an annual, civilian-led discussion that touches on all elements of the security relationship between the two countries. Representatives from both sides will discuss Indo-Pacific regional issues, security and human rights, military cooperation, peacekeeping, security assistance, and counterterrorism, among other topics, said the US Embassy in Dhaka in a media note on Sunday. Read: Malaysian envoy hails Showcase Malaysia in strengthening trade relations The United States and Bangladesh have a strong security partnership and share many interests in the Indo-Pacific region, said the embassy. Both countries share a vision to ensure the Indo-Pacific region is free, open, peaceful, and secure.   "We have a variety of dialogues throughout the year in pursuit of these mutual objectives," the media note reads. This year, the security dialogue closely follows the bilateral defense dialogue, which took place August 23 and 24 in Dhaka. The bilateral defense dialogue featured senior officers and civilians from the US and Bangladeshi militaries. They discussed a range of issues specific to the military-to-military relationship, including military education, peacekeeping and upcoming military exercises, including next year’s Disaster Response Exercise & Exchange. Read: Dhaka keen to avail regional opportunities for security, connectivity Resnick oversees the Bureau’s Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers, which manages over $40 billion annually in government-to-government defense equipment transfers through Foreign Military Sales, Third Party Transfers, and Excess Defense Articles. Resnick is also responsible for the Bureau’s Office of Security Assistance, which manages approximately $6.5 billion in US security sector assistance annually; coordinates State Department oversight, planning, and input for over $9 billion in the Defense Department security sector assistance programs; and provides State Department input for Department of Defense planning and military activities. The security dialogue covers a wide range of issues related to partnership between the two countries including strategic priorities and regional security issues, defense cooperation, civilian security cooperation, UN peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and countering violent extremism. Bangladesh is likely to reiterate its call to return Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, to Bangladesh to face justice. The Rohingya issue may also come up for discussion as a threat in the regional and global contexts. Read: Sweden, UNDP continue to work on climate adaptation in Bangladesh At the 8th Security Dialogue held between the two countries at US Department of State in April last year, the two sides had “constructive discussions” on defence agreements like GSOMIA and ACSA as the US is keen to enhance security cooperation with Bangladesh. General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA) are “essential” to enable a closer defense relationship, expand opportunities for defense trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between the United States and Bangladesh. These issues are likely to come up for discussion as follow up, a diplomatic source told UNB.

Bangladesh has in principle agreed for the co-deployment of Bangladeshi and Gambian troops in a suitable UN peacekeeping mission, following the permission of the United Nations. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday in principle agreed to work on a proposal of Gambia in this regard, when a Gambian delegation, led by its Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Mamadou Tangara met her at her official residence Ganabhaban. PM’s Speech Writer Md Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. Dr Mamadou, who is now visiting Bangladesh as Special Envoy of the President of Gambia Adama Barrow, handed over a request letter of the Gambian President to Hasina over the co-deployment of troops. The PM said the co-deployment of forces can be made following preparation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) between two sides and getting permission from the United Nations. The Gambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad highly praised the development of Bangladesh, particularly in the agriculture sector and its contribution to the worldwide peace-building. The Gambian minister said Bangladesh is a small country having a large population, but there is no food shortage in the country. Read more: PM Hasina unveils operation of 3 newly built rail lines In this context, the prime minister said Bangladesh and Gambia can cooperate in the agriculture sector. Noting that the African nation has a vast land, she said the Gambian lands can be cultivated under joint venture with Bangladeshi manpower and technology for mutual benefit. She said Bangladesh was a food deficit country in the past, but the country attained food autarky as her government made enough investment in the agriculture sector, particularly research. The PM said Bangladesh is the highest troops contributing country in the UN peacekeeping missions. Bangladesh wants peace throughout the world. Hasina said her government has taken a policy not to leave a single piece of land uncultivated and the people are very responsive to the policy in order to raise food production now. Turning to the Rohingya issue, the PM thanked and praised Gambia for standing beside the displaced people from Myanmar. She said Bangladesh gave shelter to Rohingya people on humanitarian ground and will continue taking care of the displaced people during their stay in Bangladesh. In 2019, Gambia filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICT) in The Haque, the United Nations’ highest court, alleging that Myanmar is breaching the genocide convention. Gambian Defence Minister Sering Modou Njie, Foreign Senior Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Waker-Uz-Zaman and PMO Secretary Mohammad Salahuddin were present during the meeting.

Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is going to replace its two contingents consisting of 252 members at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission deployed in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Currently, two BAF contingents, deployed in DR Congo, will be replaced by other two contingents while a contingent of 153 members has already left Dhaka for Congo Saturday as part of the replacement, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said on Saturday. Another contingent of 99 members will depart for Congo on 16 February this year. These contingents are Utility Aviation Unit-20 and Air Transport Unit-13 led by Air Commodore Khan Md Mahmudul Huq and Group Captain Md Mahbub Ahmed Choudhury respectively. Mentionable, the BAF has achieved a good reputation and glory by performing their duties in mitigating conflict with efficiency, professionalism and sincerity in DR Congo. Also Read: Peacekeeping: BAF set to replace two contingents in MONUSCO   A special Munajat was offered seeking for more excellence of the contingents at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport before leaving the country for Congo. Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal AHM Fazlul Haque was present during the departure. Earlier, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan briefed the contingent members at BAF Base Bashar while a special Munajat was also offered for the success of the mission. Hannan advised them to discharge their duties with honesty, professionalism and sincerity and bring honour for the BAF as well as the country.    

Bangladesh Air Force(BAF)  is on the verge of replacing its contingent at the United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO).  Chief of Air Staff of the BAF, Air Chief Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan briefed the new contingent members to be deployed in Congo at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bashar in the city on Monday, says an Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) directorate.   While addressing, Chief of Air Staff advised them to discharge their duties with discipline, honesty, professionalism and sincerity to bring good reputation for Bangladesh in general and Bangladesh Air Force in particular.   Read more: UN peacekeeping: Air chief briefs contingent members to be deployed in Mali Thereafter, he participated in a special munajat arranged for the success of the contingents. Among others Principal Staff Officers, Air Officers of Dhaka area, senior BAF officers of Air Headquarters and Bases were present at the occasion.   Mentionable that, total 252 members of two contingents (Utility Aviation Unit and Air Transport Unit) are proceeding to DR Congo where BAF has deployed 6 X Mi-Series helicopters and 01XC-130B transport aircraft and ground support equipment. 

The United Nations has welcomed the proposal of Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen to invest in strategic communications showcasing women in peacekeeping in an effort to increase their participation in peacekeeping.  Dr Momen met UN Under Secretary General (Department of Operational Support) Atul Khare in New York on Monday and discussed the issue.  Read:Bangabandhu Lounge opened at Bangladesh Permanent Mission at UN During the meeting, the Foreign Minister reiterated Bangladesh's commitment to peacekeeping and thanked the Under Secretary General for their support to Bangladesh, especially for including Bangladesh Biman to transport the peacekeepers to the field.  USG Khare expressed his deep appreciation to Bangladesh for their contribution to peacekeeping.  He appreciated Bangladesh for its leadership in implementing the UN's environmental strategy in the field.  Khare also praised Bangladesh's readiness to deploy peacekeepers with enabling assets.  Read:Violence, neglect increase for older persons during lockdown: UN expert

President of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkır has reiterated his call on the military authorities to grant the UN Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener access to Myanmar to assess the situation first-hand under agreeable conditions while fostering the conditions for a frank and open dialogue. “The world has not given up on Myanmar. We have not forgotten the plight of the Rohingya people,” he said during his visit to Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar on Wednesday. The UNGA President, who paid an official visit to Bangladesh on May 25-26 upon invitation of the government, said the United Nations General Assembly is determined to ensure a better future for the Rohingya people. He called on all leaders to act in the interest of Myanmar’s democratic reform, engage in meaningful dialogue, refrain from violence and to fully respect human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Read:General Assembly has not forgotten Rohingya people: Bozkir Bozkır said voluntary, dignified and safe return is the ultimate goal however the humanitarian need in Myanmar is increasing. Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas while in Rakhine State today there is an estimated 600,000 stateless Rohingya, of which some 144,000 are living in 21 displacement camps as well as among the host community since 2012. “We must not forget the order of the International Court of Justice in 2020 that everything possible should be done to prevent a genocide against the Rohingya,” he said. The UNGA said the safety and security of the Rohingya and other minorities must be secured. “Their basic rights, including the right to full citizenship, freedom of movement, and the creation of conditions conducive to the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of all Rohingya refugees and IDPs, must be respected.” He commended the Government of Bangladesh for stepping up to meet the needs of its most vulnerable neighbours in their darkest hour. “I thank the host community here in Cox’s Bazar, who were the first responders when the first groups of refugees arrived here seeking shelter and protection.” The UNGA President said the Rohingya people living here in Cox’s Bazar have survived unimaginable horrors and persecution. Read:Rohingyas rights to return, citizenship must be respected: UNGA President He said they undertook treacherous journeys to reach safety – last year alone 200 lost their lives at sea. “In recent weeks, a fire broke out here in the camp. Yet, they persist.” However, since the military takeover on 1 February, insecurity and clashes continue to be reported across much of the country with arrest, detention and use of excessive force against protestors by police and security forces. “It is not too late for the military to reverse the negative trajectory on the ground and respect the will of its people. The military must exercise restraint and help foster a path back to civilian rule in line with the outcome of the recent elections,” said the UNGA President. On May 25 he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and discussed the plight of the Rohingya people, the situation in Myanmar, the impact of climate change, the importance of human-centred development, gender equality and women’s empowerment, culture of peace and peacekeeping.   

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said the nature of peacekeeping has changed due to the use of advanced technology and sophisticated weapons, the misuse of social media and the ongoing global epidemic. He made the remarks at the “Army Chiefs' Conclave” at multipurpose complex of Dhaka Cantonment. Bangladesh Army organised the seminar with the participation of local and foreign military and civilian dignitaries. Also read: Bangladesh tops in UN Peacekeeping Mission Foreign Minister Momen said meaningful mutual cooperation, increased participation of women and development of health-related emergencies were essential to address the challenges posed by this unprecedented global epidemic in establishing world peace. The main topic of discussion at the seminar was ‘Future Trend of Global Conflict: The Role of UN Peacekeepers’.

Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Rabab Fatima has called for greater international efforts to ensure safety and security of the peacekeepers, including by embedding emergency preparedness in the mandate setting.

A virtual youth panel titled “WOMEN | PEACE | POWER: A Youth Perspective” was held Tuesday to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women Peace and Security.