UN Peacekeepers Day observed
President Zillur Rahman, with the family members of martyrs and wounded peacekeepers of UN peacekeeping missions, at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center yesterday on the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Photo: PID
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe yesterday to honour the 120,000 peacekeepers, including 10,293 Bangladeshis, the highest number among the blue helmets. Now 8,199 personnel from the country's armed forces and 2,094 from police are deployed in 13 UN peacekeeping missions, out of 17 existing missions. This year, the United Nations is marking the day by highlighting the global partnerships that help sustain UN peacekeeping and make it the success that it is. The day was introduced by the General Assembly in 2002. President Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the occasion conveying their best wishes to the peacekeepers. They reaffirmed the commitment of Bangladesh to the activities of the United Nations to maintain global peace and stability. The day's programme began through "peacekeepers run" in the morning from Tejgaon Old Airport to South Plaza of Jatiya Sangsad. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni inaugurated the event organised by Bangladesh Air Force under the coordination of Armed Forces Division. A reception for the family members of peace martyrs and injured peacekeepers was held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the afternoon. President Zillur Rahman spoke as the chief guest at the function. Chief of Army Staff General M Abdul Mubeen and UN Resident Coordinator Neal Walker also spoke at the event. Commandant of Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) Brigadier General M Anisuzzaman Bhuiyan and Director General of UN desk of Foreign Ministry Sadia Muna Tasneem made a joint presentation on various features of Bangladesh peacekeepers. Cabinet members, chiefs of Navy and Air Force, inspector general of police, diplomats and high civil and military officials were present. During the function, the president handed over rewards to family members of five martyrs and 15 wounded peacekeepers who sustained injury for peace in foreign soil. Later, Zillur Rahman inaugurated an exhibition on various activities of the Bangladeshi personnel in the UN peacekeeping missions. The exhibition remained open to all from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.
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