UN Peacekeepers Day being observed today

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is being observed on Wedneaday (June 10) across the country with due dignity and solemnity.

On this day, the entire nation is paying tribute to the country's fallen peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of global peace.

Although the day is observed worldwide on May 29 each year, this year's national programme was rescheduled due to the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

As part of the observance, a special ceremony is being held at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment, where family members of Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving in UN missions will be honoured.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is attending the event as the chief guest.

In a message issued on Tuesday, the prime minister described UN peacekeeping operations as a unique global initiative for promoting peace, stability and human security in conflict-affected regions around the world.

Extending greetings and respect to peacekeepers worldwide, he said UN personnel continue to work with courage, dedication and patience to restore peace in areas devastated by conflict, violence and humanitarian crises.

He also expressed deep sympathy for peacekeepers injured in the line of duty and for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Bangladesh remains one of the world's leading contributors to UN peacekeeping missions. According to UN data, the country held the top position among troop-contributing nations continuously from July 2020 to October 2023.

Bangladesh's journey in UN peacekeeping began in 1988 when members of the Bangladesh Army were deployed as military observers in the Iran-Iraq mission. The following year, Bangladesh Police joined peacekeeping operations through the Namibia mission. The Navy and Air Force became involved in 1993.

Since then, Bangladesh Police alone has deployed 21,828 personnel, including 1,928 women officers, across 27 missions in 25 countries.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR), Bangladeshi peacekeepers have successfully completed 63 missions in 43 countries and locations worldwide. A total of 206,476 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served under the UN flag, including 3,645 women peacekeepers and 162,035 members of the Bangladesh Army.

Currently, 4,412 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are serving in nine UN missions across the globe, continuing the country's longstanding contribution to international peace and security.

The country's peacekeeping legacy has come at a significant cost. Since the inception of UN peacekeeping deployments, 175 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving abroad, including 138 Army personnel, four Navy members, nine Air Force personnel and 24 police officers. In addition, 287 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been injured during mission duties.