France has termed Bangladesh’s leadership in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions as exemplary while the world is observing the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, on Wednesday, according to BSS.
“On this occasion, the Embassy of France extends its deep appreciation to Bangladesh for its exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to UN peacekeeping and peacebuilding efforts,” said the French embassy in Dhaka.
It said France remains strongly committed to United Nations peacekeeping operations and as a permanent member of the Security Council, France supports robust and modern peacekeeping missions and contributes significantly to their operational budget.
“Bangladesh’s vital contributions reflect our shared dedication to global peace and multilateral cooperation,” said the embassy.
The statement said, each year on May 29th, the United Nations observes the International Day of UN Peacekeepers – a day to honour the dedication, courage and sacrifice of both uniformed and civilian personnel who serve in some of the world’s most challenging environments to promote peace and stability.
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in peacekeeping and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
According to the UN website, this year, the International Day is being observed under the theme “The Future of Peacekeeping”. It looks at the invaluable contributions military, police and civilian peacekeepers have made over the last nearly eight decades. It encapsulates the spirit of progress and collective action towards creating a more equal, just and sustainable world.
According to the UN information, Bangladesh is the 3rd largest contributor of military and police personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping with more than 5,600, including 447 women, deployed to Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon and South Sudan.