Bangladesh a committed actor in promoting peace, dev: UN

The United Nations has appreciated Bangladesh's role in promoting peace and development both globally and nationally terming the country a committed actor.  

At present more than 6,500 Bangladeshis serve in peace operations across the world with their diverse roles, according to the UN.

Some of them provide protection while others ensure basic service delivery and facilitate aid access for the millions of people affected by violence and conflict.

"Bangladesh has proven itself to be a committed actor in promoting peace and development both globally and nationally," said UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Mia Seppo recently.

She said peacekeeping is changing and Bangladesh needs to be able to change its offer to peacekeeping to remain relevant.

For example, Seppo said, the number of women peacekeepers, whom Bangladesh has so ably deployed, should continue to increase.

Bangladesh may also wish to avail itself of support from the UN, as needed, in screening those to be deployed, especially to senior positions, in accordance with UN policies and also as follow-up to recent human rights recommendations, said the UNRC.

She said Bangladesh's contribution to peacekeeping is among the highest in the world, with Bangladesh being in the top four troop contributing countries for the last ten years running.

The UN Resident Coordinator, in her interaction with the diplomatic correspondents, said Bangladesh is an important supporter of the Secretary General's reform agenda of peacekeeping including on zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Bangladesh has supported the UN Secretary-General's "Sustaining Peace" agenda as articulated in the "Culture of Peace" and other relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

The country's support to the Secretary General's Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism and associated agreement is reflected in the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 2017-2020, said the UNRC.