Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (May 29, 2023) said maintaining peace in the world has now become more difficult than in the past as evil forces are using advanced technology against it. “With the recent development and advancement of technology, new threats of evil forces are increasing,” she said. The prime minister was addressing a programme marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers-2023 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC). She said that technology is giving people opportunities in all fields including socioeconomic development. Read more: PM seeks strong commitment from int'l community for dignified repatriation of Rohingyas “…but we also see that the evil forces are also using technology creating confusion among the people and is taking away the peace of people’s lives,” she said. She said that peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping missions have to deal with complex multidimensional situation. “Hence the need to enrich peacekeeping missions with advanced technology has increased manifold,” she stated. Hasina mentioned that her government has always prepared Bangladeshi peacekeepers with the latest training to deal with complex situations in the world's most challenging and dangerous regions. Read more: PM Hasina credits peaceful democratic atmosphere for country's massive progress “We are ensuring the supply of clothing, other essential items, and modern military equipment compatible with the mission area's environment, weather, and terrain,” she said. In this connection, she mentioned that the government incorporated added modern mine-resistant and ambush-protected vehicles to the Bangladesh contingents and state-of-the-art technology for peacekeeper communications.  “Incorporating modern technology and training are an ongoing process that we will continue in the future,” she added. The prime minister reiterated that Bangladesh believes in peace and would do whatever is required for peace. Read more: PM Hasina credits peaceful democratic atmosphere for country's massive progress “We believe in peace, not in conflict. Bangladesh always believes in peace and it would do  whatever is required to establish peace,” she said.  Hasina said that her government's efforts will continue so that the peacekeepers of Bangladesh can respond to the UN’s call with more confidence. “I hope Bangladeshi peacekeepers will keep the country's honour and image bright by working with their skills, professionalism, courage, and dedication,” she added. She said that peacekeepers of the country work tirelessly to prevent conflict, protect civilians, ensure human rights and establish peace. Read more: PM mourns death of ex-Mohila League leader Taslima “Because of your sincere work, the people of all those countries have given you unconditional love,” she said. She mentioned that Local citizens of many countries associated with the Bangladeshi contingent have learned Bengali culture and language from them. Bangladeshi peacekeepers have set an exemplary example in maintaining world peace and brighten the image of the country, she said. Currently, 7,436 peacekeepers of Bangladesh are engaged in the UN peacekeeping missions and activities, and the number is about 9.8 percent of the total number of peacekeepers deployed worldwide. This includes 572 Bangladeshi women peacekeepers. Read more: PM leaves Doha for home ending 3-day visit “We continue our efforts to increase the number of women peacekeepers,” she said. The UN secretary-general has requested to send more female peacekeepers, she said. She said that Bangladesh’s peacekeepers have successfully completed 63 UN missions in 40 countries worldwide. Currently, Bangladeshi peacekeepers are engaged in 14 UN missions and activities. 20 contingents of the Bangladesh Army, two of the Bangladesh Navy, four of the Bangladesh Air Force, and three of the Bangladesh Police are working in these missions. Read more: Govt’s continuity needed to ensure sustainable development: Food Minister The PM said that Bangladesh has deployed a Force Protection Battalion in Abyei of South Sudan, while added a mechanised infantry company as a Quick Reaction Force in Mali, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Platoon in the Congo, and a Level-2 Hospital Contingent in the Central African Republic. Besides, she said, deployment of a new Armed Utility Helicopter Unit of the Bangladesh Army, a new Mechanized Infantry Company as the Base Defense Contingent, and an Airfield Support Unit of the Bangladesh Air Force is underway in Mali. She added that high-ranking officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces are engaged in several missions as Force Commanders, Deputy Force Commanders, and Sector Commanders. “Apart from peacekeeping missions, we actively participate and contribute to other international forums,” she said. Read more: Dhaka, Beijing review Rohingya repatriation effort “Today, Bangladesh is a responsible and reliable name in international efforts to maintain peace and security,” she added. At the end of the function, the prime minister virtually talked with the members of Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in different countries including South Sudan, Mali, Lebanon, Central African Republic and D R Congo.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has highly praised the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UN Missions and hoped that the country would continue to provide more troops to fulfill UN’s future needs in this regard.  Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen who met Guterres at the UN headquarters recently, requested the SG to appoint more Bangladeshi nationals at the high-level positions of the UN peace operations, and also in the position of SRSG (Special Representative of Secretary General) in various UN political missions across the world. The Foreign Minister briefed the SG about the current situation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and sought UN’s help to repatriate all Rohingyas to Myanmar.  Read:Withdrawal of sanctions: Momen seeks support of US lawmakers The Secretary General highly appreciated Bangladesh’s generosity for sheltering 1.1 millions Rohingyas and reiterated UN’s support for returning the forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar. The SG also applauded Bangladesh’s extraordinary socio-economic development under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and hoped that Bangladesh would continue to achieve more successes in the coming years, particularity in attaining the SDGs, said the Bangladesh Mission at the UN. The Foreign Minister also requested the SG to appoint more Bangladeshi nationals at the high-level positions of the UN peace operations, and also in the position of SRSG (Special Representative of Secretary General) in various UN political Mission across the world. Dr Momen thanked Guterres for meeting him despite his busy schedule due to current Ukraine crisis. Earlier, the Foreign Minister held a meeting with Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, the newly appointed Special Envoy of the Secretary General on Myanmar, who is currently visiting New York. During the meeting, Foreign Minister requested Heyzer to engage with all stakeholders including the regional countries to find a durable solution to the Rohingya crisis, particularly by creating a conducive environment in Rakhine state so that the Rohingyas can return to their homes in safety, security and dignity.  He briefed the special envoy on the steps taken by the Bangladesh government to prevent spread of COVID in Rohingya camps, to provide Myanmar-curriculum-based education to Rohingya children in the camps, among others.  He also referred to the new accommodation facility in Bhashan char for 100,000 Rohingya and informed Heyzer that the Rohingya relocated there will have the opportunity to engage in livelihood activities.  Read:Dhaka, Riyadh "dynamic partnership" to reach new height under inspired leadership: Saudi envoy The Foreign Minister said, in the absence of any hope for return to their homeland, the Rohingyas increasingly have been getting involved in illicit and criminal activities.  He invited Heyzer to visit Cox's Bazar camps and Bhashan char at her earliest convenience. The Special Envoy expressed her deepest gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for providing shelter to the Rohingya when they fled Myanmar in 2017 and commended her for her compassion and leadership.  She assured that the Rohingya issue will remain high on her agenda and she would remain deeply engaged with all relevant stakeholders - the regional countries and other international actors, Rohingya leaders and the authorities in Myanmar to find a sustainable solution to this crisis as soon as possible. Charge d' Affaires, of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN Md. Monwar Hossain was present during the meetings.