Dhaka: Like other countries, Bangladesh will observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 29 (Thursday) with due respect. 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 honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this year’s theme for the Day is “the Future of Peacekeeping.” The theme emphasizes that the ‘Pact for the Future’-adopted last year at the United Nations-includes a commitment to adapt peacekeeping to our changing world. This was echoed through Member States’ pledges presented to address capability gaps and adapt UN peacekeeping to emerging challenges and new realities at the recent Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin.
Bangladesh is recognized as the 3rd largest contributor of military and police personnel to United Nations Peacekeeping, with more than 5,600 individuals, including 447 women, deployed to various regions such as Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, and South Sudan.
On the occasion of the day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres conveyed in a message the complex situations faced by peacekeepers today. “Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations-and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges,” Guterres stated. He further emphasized the resilience, dedication, and courage of peacekeepers, honoring those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, highlighted the adaptability of peacekeeping throughout its history and stressed the importance of continued investment to deliver hope and protection where needed most.
According to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the UN Peacekeepers Day will commence with a “Peacekeepers’ Run/Rally-2025” in the morning to honor the peacekeepers. A reception for injured peacekeepers and a special presentation on UN peacekeeping operations will be held at 11:00 am at the China-Friendship Conference Centre, with Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed as the chief guest. Home Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury will also be present as the chief guest at the morning rally.
Special journals and supplements will be published in national dailies, and special talk shows will air on various private television networks, including Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar, highlighting the significance of the day. Documentaries on Bangladesh’s peacekeeping activities will be broadcast on Bangladesh Television and other private channels.
The reception will see attendance from members of the advisory council, ambassadors and high commissioners from various countries in Dhaka, the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, chiefs of the three services, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division, Inspector General of Police, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and media personalities, as well as senior military and civilian officials.
Since the historic deployment of military observers to the Middle East in 1948 to supervise the Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements, peacekeeping has grown significantly. Today, approximately 68,000 women and men serve in 11 conflict zones worldwide, with contributions from 119 countries.