Rabat: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has articulated Bangladesh's stance on UN peacekeeping, emphasizing it as a responsibility to humanity under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. She made these remarks while addressing the Second Ministerial Conference on Peacekeeping in a Francophone Environment held in Rabat. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister highlighted the importance of the Women, Peace and Security agenda to enhance peacekeeping and peace-building efforts. She addressed emerging challenges in peace operations, including misinformation, digital harassment, and the need for ethical technology use in conflict zones. Shama Obaed called for reforms in UN peacekeeping operations, stressing the importance of clear mandates, sufficient resources, consultation with contributing countries, and measures to ensure peacekeepers' safety. Shama underscored the significance of pre-deployment training through institutions like the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training and reiterated Bangladesh's dedication to environmentally sustainable peacekeeping practices. She reaffirmed Bangladesh's strong commitment to multilateralism and highlighted the country's status as one of the largest contributors to UN Peacekeeping missions globally. Paying tribute to the 174 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who have sacrificed their lives, Shama emphasized the increasing role of Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions. She noted that Bangladesh's foreign policy legacy, shaped by Ziaur Rahman and strengthened under former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, continues to guide its commitment to global peace and stability. She also highlighted Bangladesh's initiatives in social protection, education reform, and women's empowerment as pillars for sustainable peace. The conference, organized by the governments of Morocco and France, was attended by Bangladesh Ambassador to Morocco Sadia Faizunnesa. Later, Shama Obaed participated as a keynote speaker at the Global Growth Co nference 2026, discussing Bangladesh's views on global geopolitics, power dynamics, and strategic reordering in a session titled "Geopolitics of Fragmentation: Power, Escalation and Strategic Reordering."
