General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Army Staff, on Thursday said Bangladesh has earned global recognition for its contributions to peacekeeping and remains firmly committed to upholding global peace through continued participation in United Nations missions.
He made the remarks while addressing a programme at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2025.
Paying tribute to the 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives in the line of duty, the Army chief praised the dedication of personnel currently serving in missions around the world. "As Bangladesh's senior-most peacekeeper, I feel proud and honoured to be here today," he said.
"Let me begin by solemnly remembering our 168 brave soldiers and police personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in various peacekeeping missions. Their sacrifice will forever be honoured by the nation."
The Army chief highlighted Bangladesh's long-standing contribution to global peace, noting that the country has been active in UN peacekeeping operations since 1988.
Bangladesh on Thursday joined the international community to observe the International United Nations Peacekeepers Day paying tributes to blue helmet forces for their role in upholding peace in troubled global regions.
According to an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) directorate as part of the celebration, a reception in honour of wounded UN peacekeepers was staged at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, three armed forces chiefs and armed forces division chief (PSO) and police chief issued separate statements to mark the day.
UN Secretary General António Guterres issued a statement from his office in New York and UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis released another message from Bangladesh, a leading contributor to the blue helmet missions.
Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed joined as chief guest of the event at the conference hall where Army chief Gen Waker-uz-Zaman spoke as the senior most Bangladeshi peacekeeper in UN peacekeeping missions.
A one minute silence was observed for the martyred peacekeepers across the world at the hall function that began with recitation from the Holy Quran while presentations on the UN peacekeeping missions marked the event.
The event witnessed special presentations on the UN blue helmet missions following a welcome address by UN Resident Coordinator to Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis while Acting Foreign Secretary M Ruhul Alam Siddiqui also spoke.
The interim government's advisory council members, ambassadors and high commissioners representing different countries attended the function.
The event was joined as well by Bangladesh Navy and Air Force chiefs, senior secretaries and secretaries, Inspector General of Police, armed forces division officials and representatives of UN agencies in Bangladesh, senior military and civil officers and other dignitaries.
Bangladesh began the observance of the UN-declared day at early morning staging a "Peacekeeper Run/Rally-2025" at 6:15am while the run began from the Old Airport Mosque area at Tejgaon in Dhaka and other divisional cities.
Home Adviser retired Lt Gen M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury inaugurated the rally as chief guest, which participated by the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, peacekeepers from the armed forces and police, the foreign ministry, UN agencies and designated representatives of inter-service organizations.
According to the ISPR statement a special journal was published highlighting the UN Peacekeeping while different national dailies published supplements to mark the day. The public and private electronic media also organized special talks.
Currently, 5,018 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are deployed across nine UN missions, including 4,880 from the Army, 343 from the Navy, 396 from the Air Force, and 199 from the police.
"Our peacekeepers are always ready to face any challenge with advanced training, strong moral values, professionalism, and neutrality-even at the risk of their own lives," he said. Gen Waker also emphasised the growing participation of Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping.
"So far, 3,645 female personnel from our armed forces and police have served in UN peacekeeping missions with distinction. At present, 444 women peacekeepers are actively engaged in various missions," he said.
Among recent milestones, he cited the deployment of a Bangladeshi helicopter contingent to the UN mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the transfer of locally developed explosive disposal robots to the Peruvian Army.
He also highlighted humanitarian contributions, saying: "In the Central African Republic, a community clinic established under Bangladesh's supervision is now delivering health services to the local population."
"When the clinic was inaugurated, the President of the Central African Republic was present and expressed deep satisfaction with Bangladesh's contributions," he added.
Reaffirming Bangladesh's enduring commitment to peace, Gen Waker said, "Distinguished diplomats and dear foreign friends, I would like to assure you that Bangladesh will continue to respond to the United Nations' call for peace. Our commitment is rooted in the ideals of our Liberation War and our constitutional principles. We will always stand for global peace."
He concluded his speech by thanking participants and organisers, and extended special appreciation to the Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed.
"Thank you very much. My heartfelt thanks to all our foreign friends for their gracious presence on this important occasion," he said.
