DHAKA, Jan 15, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh’s role in the United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping was appreciated at a conference at The Hague in the Netherlands today.
UN Under Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix made the appreciation during a two-day “Preparatory Conference on Peacekeeping” at The Hague hosted jointly by the Netherlands and Rwanda, said a press release received today from Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague.
Lacroix recalled his visit to Bangladesh and appreciated Bangladesh’s role in the UN Peacekeeping as a major troops and police contributor.
He also appreciated the quality of professional trainings being conducted by the Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations and Training (BIPSOT).
Lacroix also wished to see more attention being provided in the affairs of safety of civilian population of the host country.
Earlier in the day, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok, Dutch Defence Minister Ms. Ank Bijleveld and Jean Pierre Karabaranga, Ambassador of Rwanda to the Netherlands and Smail Cherugi, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security jointly inaugurated the conference.
About 70 countries including Bangladesh joined this Preparatory Conference on Peacekeeping where Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal led Bangladesh delegation comprising Brig. Gen. Md. Nurul Anwar, Director General, Operations and Plan Directorate, Armed Forces Division and Dr. K H Mahid Uddin, Deputy Inspector General of Police of Bangladesh.
Sheikh Mohammed Belal reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to the UN peacekeeping and relayed personal commitment of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about Bangladesh’s readiness to contribute troops and police in response to UN call for strengthening world peace and stability.
Recalling Bangladesh Prime Minister’s role at the High Level Event on Action for Peacekeeping, Belal urged the UN to consider recruiting more female forces and police in their contingent and assured Bangladesh’s readiness to provide such forces at the shortest possible time when requested.