Staff Reporter:
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday reiterated her call to stop the ongoing wars solving all problems
through dialogue and channelized the money used in arms races for welfare of mankind.
“Bangladesh is a dependable and responsible name in the efforts of protecting peace and safety alongside
establishing global peace. We are acknowledged by all and have become a role model on the global
stage,” she said.
The premier made the remarks while addressing an event marking the International Day of UN Peace
keepers-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka City.
She said as many as 6092 Bangladeshi peacekeepers including 493 women have been working with repu
tation in 13 places of the UN peacekeeping missions.
“They (Bangladeshi peacekeepers) have been working with fame and glory,” she added.
The prime minister said the heads of the state and government where the Bangladeshi peacekeepers are
now working have highly praised them.
“I feel really proud hearing the appreciation,” she continued.
Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh is working to pursue the global peace following the ideal of Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“We are actively participating in other international forums alongside the UN peacekeeping missions to
establish global peace,” she said.
She also said the “Culture of Peace” proposal placed by Bangladesh in 1997 was unanimously adopted as
resolution in the UN in 1999 and the UN had announced 2000 as the “International Year of the Culture of
Peace”.
The prime minister said Bangabandhu had appeared as envoy of peace and voice of the distressed people
of the world through his work.
For that reason, Bangabandhu was awarded the “Joliot Curie Peace Medal” on May 23 in 1973, she said.
Sheikh Hasina greeted the Bangladeshi peacekeepers as they are tirelessly working to protect civilians,
human rights and establish peace globally.
She said that the Bangladeshi peacekeepers have successfully taught Bangla culture and language to
many people of the countries they are working for.
“So, the people of those countries (where the peacekeepers are working) have given you untold love and
affections,” she added.
“Overall, our professionalism, efficiency and commitment in establishing global peace have set an exam
ple for others,” she continued.
The prime minister called upon the Bangladeshi peacekeepers to continue the efforts and thus brighten
the country’s image further.
She recalled the contribution of 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives and 266 others
who are severely injured for establishing global peace.
Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, Senior Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and
the United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis also spoke at the programme.
At the outset of the event, one minute silence was observed to pay tributes to the memory of the heroes
who sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of the world peace.
A video documentary on achievement of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UN missions was screened
at the function.
The prime minister handed over awards to the three injured peacekeepers.
Stop arms race:
Sheikh Hasina called upon the global communities to help stop the arms race and use the war money to
establish world peace alongside protecting the people from hunger and poverty and the adverse impact of
the climate change.
“The money of arms race can help save the countries vulnerable for climate change impacts and for food,
education and health for underprivileged children,” she said.
The Premier said Bangladesh always favors peace instead of war and support solution of all problems
through dialogues.
“We don’t want war, we want peace. We want to solve everything through dialogue,” she added.
She said a huge amount of money had been spending for arms production and arms race by the rich coun
tries.
“We talk about peace. But why to be engaged in conflicts?,” she said.
The prime minister opined that the money for arms can be spent for helping mankind to live a decent life.
“Conflicts and wars in different parts of the globe are disrupting the world peace yesterday,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said that Russia-Ukraine war, Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the forcibly displaced Rohingya
people of Myanmar and such other things have made a dire situation for the mankind.
“As the arms race continues to rise, the lives of the people become more and more miserable and the
women and children are the worst sufferers,” she said.
