Bangladesh Reaffirms Commitment to Expanding Its UN Peacekeeping Role

Bangladesh has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its role and capabilities in United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations during a bilateral meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Atul Khare, UN Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Operational Support (DOS).

The meeting took place on Monday (New York time) at Room S-2729 of the UN Headquarters in New York in a cordial atmosphere, according to a Home Ministry press release.

The two sides discussed a range of issues, including operational support for Bangladeshi military and police contingents serving in UN peacekeeping missions, faster reimbursement processes, environmental sustainability, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, and Bangladesh's preparations to deploy specialized police contingents to Haiti.

At the beginning of the meeting, the minister thanked the DOS for its continued support in facilitating reimbursement for Bangladeshi peacekeepers. He also expressed appreciation to the department's Environment Section for promoting environmental protection through the installation of solar panels in UN missions.

Describing Bangladesh as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Ahmed said the country remains firmly committed to reducing the environmental footprint of UN peacekeeping operations.

He noted that Bangladesh was the first country to introduce solar panels in UN peacekeeping missions and reaffirmed its willingness to work with the UN to expand renewable energy initiatives across mission areas by drawing on its experience and expertise.

Highlighting Bangladesh's commitment to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, the minister urged the UN to invest more in environmentally sustainable and gender-responsive infrastructure to provide safe and suitable working conditions for female peacekeepers.

He also stressed the importance of enhanced capacity-building and advanced training to better equip peacekeepers for operations in high-risk and hostile environments.

Ahmed informed Khare that Bangladesh Police has completed preparations to deploy three highly specialized Formed Police Units (FPUs) to Haiti to help address the country's complex security challenges.

He said the units possess capabilities beyond those of conventional FPUs, including SWAT operations, rapid response, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), forensic and crime scene management, investigations into organized crime and cybercrime, riverine operations, and anti-narcotics activities.

To ensure the effective use of these specialized capabilities in Haiti, the minister presented several proposals to the UN.

He said a three-member high-level delegation from Bangladesh Police would participate in Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) negotiations at the UN Headquarters from July 15 to 17, 2026, and sought the UN's cooperation to ensure the successful conclusion of the talks, including the incorporation of the proposed equipment.

Ahmed also said that, in addition to deploying full FPUs, Bangladesh is ready to co-deploy specialized police teams or platoons alongside self-sustaining units from other Police Contributing Countries (PCCs).

Concluding the meeting, the minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's unwavering commitment to promoting global peace under the UN flag and expressed confidence that the professionalism of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, coupled with the UN's logistical support, would further strengthen international peacekeeping efforts.

Khare praised the professionalism, discipline and courage of Bangladeshi peacekeepers and commended the country's leadership in environmental sustainability.

He assured the minister that Bangladesh's proposals on deploying specialized police units to Haiti, along with the other issues raised during the meeting, would receive careful consideration, and reaffirmed the UN's commitment to further strengthening its partnership with Bangladesh.