Bangladesh Emerges as a Respected and Trusted Force in Global Peacekeeping: Army Chief

Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman on Wednesday said Bangladesh has earned international recognition and trust through its longstanding contributions to global peacekeeping operations.

He made the remarks while addressing a discussion at Senakunja in Dhaka marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

Expressing confidence in the future role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, the army chief said the Bangladesh Army would continue to make significant contributions to international peacekeeping missions with the government's ongoing support.

According to him, Bangladesh currently has 4,212 personnel deployed in nine UN peacekeeping missions around the world. Of them, 3,608 are from the army, 302 from the navy, 267 from the air force and 35 from the police.

Highlighting the role of women in peacekeeping, General Waker said Bangladeshi women have set a notable example by serving alongside their male counterparts in UN missions.

“So far, 3,905 women from the armed forces and police have successfully completed peacekeeping assignments. Currently, 294 female peacekeepers are serving in different missions across the globe,” he said.

The army chief noted that Bangladesh has been participating in UN peacekeeping operations since 1988, responding to the organisation’s call to support global peace and stability.

“Today, Bangladesh is widely recognised and respected in the field of international peacekeeping. At the same time, peacekeeping challenges are evolving rapidly. Our peacekeepers remain prepared to meet those challenges through advanced training, professional excellence, ethical conduct and impartiality, often while working under difficult and risky conditions,” he said.

He added that the armed forces and police are continuously strengthening their capabilities in line with UN requirements through modern training programmes, greater use of technology, enhanced medical and engineering support, and increased participation of women in peacekeeping missions.