ZCZC
BSS-11
PM-PEACEKEEPERS-DAY-2-LAST DHAKA
The prime minister said Bangladesh maintains friendship with all as the government wants to turn the country into a developed and prosperous one.
“We want to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country and to this end, Bangladesh has to step forward keeping friendship with all,” she said.
She said the government’s main task is to improve the economic condition of the country’s people, remove poverty, ensure education, healthcare and employment for the future generations.
In this regard, the government is working rigorously, she added.
Recalling the important role of Bangladeshi Peacekeepers proudly on the UN Peacekeepers day, the prime minister said the country is celebrating the glory of 33 years as the highest peacekeepers’ sending nation in establishing world peace.
She said at this moment, 6,742 Bangladeshi peacekeepers among a total of 80,184 peacekeepers of 122 countries have engaged in establishing world peace which is 8.40 percent of the total and the number is glorious for the nation.
In addition, 284 women peacekeepers from Bangladesh are also deployed in world peacekeeping missions, she added.
Sheikh Hasina went on saying that the government has provided an expensive internet through V-Sat so the Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in remote and hard-to-reach areas in different countries could communicate with their family members.
She continued that LAV Ambulance, IED Jammer along with Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP) have been incorporated to the contingents for ensuring security of Bangladeshi peacekeepers.
The premier said those who are in peacekeeping missions are brightening the image of Bangladesh.
“Actually it (peacekeeping) is a challenging job where bravery and sincerity are needed. You (Bangladeshi peacekeepers) are doing it successfully,” she said, mentioning that many countries don’t want to join it.
She said Bangladeshi peacekeepers are contributing to the most conflicting and difficult places across the world overcoming all barriers.
Sheikh Hasina said steps have been taken to develop Bangladesh’s peacekeepers as the most qualified through providing them with time befitting training, improved technology and equipment to face the new challenges.
She urged the peacekeepers of Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and Police to accomplish their responsibilities with utmost professionalism, honesty, integrity and sincerity.
Talking about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Sheikh Hasina told the Bangladeshi peacekeepers that the virus outbreak is causing huge suffering to the people so any situation has to be tackled slowly and calmly because it creates uncertainty in almost every country.
“We believe in peace and this culture of peace has to be kept in mind always,” she said.
The prime minister said her government after assuming power in 1996 established National Defense College (NDC) and set up Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT).
Taking the office again in 2009, Awami League government formulated “Forces Goal-2030” and is now implementing it for highly professional and trained armed forces alongside establishing Bangladesh Peace Building Centre (BPC) in 2016, she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the government moreover developed and modernized all other forces such as police, BGB, RAB, Ansar etc.
BSS/MAK/GMR/1517 hrs