Bangladesh Marks UN Peacekeepers Day Amid International Acclaim

Bangladesh has observed the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers with due solemnity and state honours. Although the global occasion is officially commemorated annually on 29 May, the national celebrations within the country were held on Wednesday owing to the public holidays for Eid. Over the past 38 years, Bangladesh has established itself as a proud and vital partner in the execution of United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide.

Historical Milestone and International Recognition

The historical foundation for hosting the inaugural International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Bangladeshi soil received significant acclaim from the international community. Brigadier General (Retired) Mohammad Mahbub Haidar Khan of the Bangladesh Armed Forces was highly commended for the successful organisation of the maiden event. In 2007, Brigadier General Khan served as the Director (Chairman) of the Overseas Operations Directorate at the Army Headquarters. Under his direct supervision, the event successfully highlighted the glorious contributions of Bangladeshi peacekeepers on both national and international platforms.

In an official letter dispatched on 31 May 2007, Renata Lok-Dessallien, the then UN Resident Coordinator, expressed her profound gratitude and appreciation to Brigadier General Khan, the Bangladesh Army, and the relevant officials. According to her correspondence:

• The inaugural celebration succeeded in effectively projecting the crucial contributions and ultimate sacrifices of Bangladeshi peacekeepers before the citizens of the country.

• The meticulous dedication, hard work, and self-sacrificing efforts of the organisers were vital to the flawless execution of the programme.

• The distinguished guests in attendance gained a comprehensive and well-informed insight into the achievements and contributions of Bangladesh in global peacekeeping initiatives.

• The leadership, cooperation, and coordination demonstrated by the Bangladesh Armed Forces, particularly by Brigadier General Mohammad Mahbub Haidar Khan, played a pivotal role in the success of the event.

Chronology and Operational Statistics of the Armed Forces

The journey of Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping operations commenced in 1988, when members of the Bangladesh Army were deployed as military observers in the Iran-Iraq conflict. Over the subsequent decades, the other branches of the state forces joined the international missions. The Bangladesh Police joined the United Nations family in 1989 through their deployment to the Namibia mission. Subsequently, both the Bangladesh Navy and the Bangladesh Air Force began their active participation in UN peacekeeping operations in 1993.

The comprehensive statistics regarding the deployment year, total personnel sent, and casualties suffered by the different branches of the Bangladeshi forces are detailed in the table below:

Global Impact and Present Commitments

According to official figures released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Bangladeshi peacekeepers have successfully completed 63 UN missions across 43 countries and international locations. Out of the grand total of 206,476 personnel deployed since inception, 3,645 have been women peacekeepers. The contribution of the Bangladesh Police remains substantial, with a total of 21,828 personnel, including 1,928 female officers, serving across 27 different peacekeeping missions in 25 nations.

At present, Bangladesh is globally recognised as one of the top troop- and police-contributing countries to the United Nations. There are currently 4,412 peacekeepers from Bangladesh actively deployed across 9 ongoing UN peacekeeping missions around the globe.

Sacrifices Rendered on the Global Stage

The distinguished position held by Bangladesh has come at a significant human cost. Since the commencement of its peacekeeping duties in 1988, a total of 175 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives whilst serving under the United Nations flag. This total comprises 138 personnel from the Bangladesh Army, 4 from the Bangladesh Navy, 9 from the Bangladesh Air Force, and 24 from the Bangladesh Police. Furthermore, a total of 287 peacekeepers have sustained injuries of varying degrees during their deployments, marking an enduring legacy of bravery and dedication to global peace.