Bangladesh sees participation in UN peacekeeping missions as a moral responsibility: Shama

Bangladesh considers participation in UN peacekeeping missions not just an obligation, but a humanitarian responsibility, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said, referring to the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

She made the remarks while speaking at the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment held in Rabat on Wednesday, according to a foreign ministry press release issued this morning.

The state minister stressed the importance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda in making peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts more effective.

Highlighting emerging challenges in modern peace operations, she pointed to misinformation, digital harassment, and the need for the ethical and responsible use of technology in conflict zones.

Calling for stronger and future-oriented reforms in UN peacekeeping missions, Shama Obaed emphasised the need for clear and practical mandates, sufficient resources, greater consultation with troop- and police-contributing countries, and stronger measures to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.

She also underscored the importance of strong pre-deployment training through institutions such as the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training and reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to environmentally sustainable peacekeeping practices.

Reaffirming the country’s commitment to multilateralism, Shama highlighted Bangladesh’s role as one of the world’s largest contributors to United Nations Peacekeeping missions.

Paying tribute to the 174 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving global peace, she also noted the country’s growing contribution of women peacekeepers to UN missions.

She said Bangladesh’s peace-oriented foreign policy, initiated by Ziaur Rahman and strengthened under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, continues to guide the country’s commitment to global peace and stability.

Highlighting Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts in social protection, education reform, and women’s empowerment, she described these initiatives as key foundations for sustainable peace.

The conference was jointly organised by the governments of Morocco and France, where the forum was first launched in 2016.

Sadia Faizunnesa, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Morocco, was also present at the event.

Later in the evening, Shama Obaed attended the Global Growth Conference 2026 as a keynote speaker in a session titled “Geopolitics of Fragmentation: Power, Escalation and Strategic Reordering.”

During the session, she shared Bangladesh’s perspective on changing global geopolitics, shifting power balances, and the strategic impact of increasing international fragmentation.