The cover of the official website of the United Nations peacekeeping operation (https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/bangladesh) is flashed with the faces of the brave Bangladeshi peacekeepers and the recognition engraved below: 'Thank You Bangladesh for Your Service and Sacrifice.'
Bangladesh is a unique and leading name in peacekeeping in today's conflict-ridden world. With leadership, skill, sacrifice and effort, the heroic and courageous peacekeepers of Bangladesh have elevated Bangladesh to the court of the world with a high status of trust and confidence.
In 1988, Bangladeshi peacekeepers took part in the UN peacekeeping mission for the first time. In that year, the Bangladesh Army sent 15 military observers to the Iran-Iraq military observer team.
From then on, the journey of red-green Bangladesh in peacekeeping activities started. As time has passed since then, new feathers have been added to the country's success in international peacekeeping, which has given Bangladesh a new seat of honor and dignity in the world.
After the army, the navy and air force joined the peacekeeping mission in 1993. And the police members started their journey in 1989 through the Namibian peacekeeping mission. Apart from men, Bangladeshi women peacekeepers have also taken part and all the members of the UN peacekeeping force are signing their qualifications by wearing the symbol 'Blue Helmet'.
As a result, Bangladesh came to the forefront as a UN peacekeeping country. With a little more than three decades of experience, Bangladesh has gained a local leadership position as a country sending peacekeepers. According to the information received, the armed forces and the police together currently have 6,731 Bangladeshi peacekeepers engaged in the difficult and risky task of establishing peace and harmony in various conflict zones of the world.
In terms of Bangladesh's reputation for establishing world peace, our peacekeepers are currently engaged in 8 missions. Besides, Bangladeshi troops also hold the rank of Major General as Deputy Force Commander in South Sudan and Brigadier General in Congo, Central African Republic and Sector Commander in South Sudan. It is because of the efficiency of our peacekeepers that we are able to achieve this high position today.
In this context, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "We are always ready to establish peace in any part of the world under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council. I want to make this clear to the United Nations. "
Needless to say, being a country that sends top peacekeepers is both a source of pride and glory, but also very challenging. Faced with all kinds of challenges, the skilled, well-trained, professional and brilliant Bangladeshi peacekeepers are constantly carrying out their responsibilities at the risk of their lives in world peacekeeping.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers are spreading the message of peace in different conflict-ridden areas by facing various fears and adverse environments. They are playing an important, historic role in tackling ethnic conflict in different parts of the world, including Africa. Bangladeshi peacekeepers are playing an exemplary role in the construction of roads, facilities and medical services in different conflict-ridden countries. This multifaceted achievement of Bangladesh is seriously studied in all discussions on peace and conflict resolution.
A total of 6 members of the peacekeeping force of Bangladesh have sacrificed their lives in various UN peacekeeping operations to achieve success. Eighty-four of them were members of the Bangladesh Army, one was of the Navy, and three were members of the Air Force. Lieutenant Colonel Md. Faizul Karim Windhoek, Leader of UNTAG Bangladesh Forces in Namibia died in 1989. He was the first Bangladeshi officer to take part in a peacekeeping mission who died while on a mission abroad.
The contribution of Bangladesh forces in various missions has been highlighted with utmost importance and several senior military officers of Bangladesh have been appointed as commanders of UN peacekeeping missions and senior military liaison officers. Bangladesh's success in the peacekeeping community has been increasing.