The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers will be observed in the country tomorrow like other countries in a befitting manner, reports BSS.
The International Day for UN Peacekeepers is being observed on May 29 every year across the world aiming to underscore the importance of maintaining global peace, pay tribute to those involved in the peacekeeping missions and honour the UN peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives in establishing global peace.
Different programmes have been taken to observe the day, a spokesperson of Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) told BSS.
The day’s programmes will begin through holding ‘Peace Keepers Run’ in the morning. Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali will attend it as the chief guest.
In observance of the day, Armed Forces Division and the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Bangladesh will jointly organise a reception programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) here in honour of the relatives of the deceased and injured Bangladeshi peacekeepers, paying due respect to the deceased and injured peacekeepers.
President Abdul Hamid is expected to attend the function as the chief guest while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam will be present.
A special documentary on different activities of Bangladesh in the UN peacekeeping missions will be screened at the function.
President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day and greeted the members of the UN peacekeepers, including Bangladeshi ones.
They also solemnly prayed for the salvation of the departed souls of the heroic peacekeepers who made their supreme sacrifices in establishing global peace and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
In his message, President Hamid said: “Bangladesh believes in world peace and harmony. In pursuing our diplomatic objectives, the government has been consistent in upholding the principle of ‘Friendship to all, malice towards none’ as enunciated by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
Noting that Bangladesh has been emerged as a country of peace and communal harmony around the world, he said Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been able to attain credibility by dint of their highest standard of professionalism, devotion and bravery since their first engagement to UN Peacekeeping Operations in 1988.
“The image of Bangladesh has upheld at international arena for the outstanding contributions of our peacekeepers,” the President said, expressing that Bangladeshi peacekeepers will continue to render their dedicated efforts in establishing world peace, harmony and amity in the days to come.
Terming Bangladesh one of the largest troop contributing nations to the UN peacekeeping missions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said the Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been working relentlessly to establish peace and harmony in various conflict-prone areas of the world.
“They are now worldwide highly praised by displaying their high standard of professionalism, courage and dedication to establish global peace and harmony,” she added.
“On behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, I assure our support to the United Nations for protection and promotion of world peace.”
Sheikh Hasina hoped that Bangladeshi peacekeepers would contribute more in the future with their highest standard of professionalism and honesty.
Marking the day, different national dailies will publish special supplements and articles tomorrow highlighting the importance of the day.
Besides, different television channels, including Bangladesh Television, and Bangladesh Betar will air special programmes.