UN appreciates Bangladesh’s peacekeeping engagement
UN under secretary general for peacekeeping operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix on Sunday lauded Bangladesh’s strong engagement in ensuring peace around the world with its peacekeepers.
“We had a very frank discussion. This was an opportunity for me to thank him personally and Bangladesh for its extremely strong support to peacekeeping and its steadfast engagement in favour of peace around the world,” he said.
Under secretary Lacroix was talking to reporters after meeting with foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali at state guesthouse Padma.
“We’re extremely grateful and we’re also respectful of the services of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers around the world,” he said adding that he had an excellent discussion with the minister.
The UN under secretary general was accompanied by United Nations military adviser lieutenant general Carlos Humberto Loitey, United Nations police adviser Luis Carrilho and UN resident coordinator in Dhaka Mia Seppo.
The foreign minister reiterated present government’s firm commitment to continue its participation in the UN peacekeeping as well as in other initiatives of the UN towards establishing peace.
During the meeting, the foreign minister particularly highlighted the successful participation of women peacekeepers in the UN peacekeeping at various levels including deployment of a full women police unit in Haiti.
He reiterated Bangladesh government’s commitment to increase participation of women in the UN peacekeeping mission.
The foreign minister especially mentioned the extraordinary efforts of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in helping the communities in agriculture, education and other socio-economic activities.
Recognising Bangladesh’s invaluable support to the initiatives and activities of the UN in the field of peacekeeping and peace-building, Mahmood Ali expressed the hope that Bangladesh would continue to stand beside the UN in meeting its peacekeeping agenda.
The under secretary general is currently in Bangladesh on a three-day official visit.
He is expected to visit Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations Training (BIPSOT) on Monday.
In another meeting, Lacroix highly praised Bangladesh police for its role in establishing world peace.
A five-member delegation, led by Jean-Pierre Lacroix, met inspector general of police (IGP) Javed Patwary at his police headquarters office in the city and praised the Bangladesh Police.
Hailing the professionalism and efficiency of the Bangladeshi police members, Jean-Pierre Lacroix said they have been making a unique contribution to protecting peace in conflict-stricken and war-torn countries across the globe, AKM Kamrul Ahsan, public relations officer of the Police Headquarters, quoted the top UN official as saying.
The UN under secretary general said the Bangladesh Police will have to acquire more skills in the face of challenges of the United Nations peacekeeping missions.
He also emphasised obtaining fluency in French language in particular.
The IGP said being one of the top police contribution countries to the UN peacekeeping missions, the Bangladesh Police has already been able to prove its expertise and capability in protecting world peace.
The top official of the Bangladesh Police urged the UN under secreatry to increase the participation of its members in peacekeeping activities.
He also suggested increasing the number of women police, especially the Female Formed Police Unit, as well as increasing the participation of the members of Bangladesh Police at the UN Headquarters.
During the meeting, the activities of Bangladesh Police in the UN peacekeeping missions were briefly presented.
The delegation included United Nations police adviser Luis Carrilho, defence advisor in Bangladesh Mission of the UN brigadier general Khan Firoz Ahmed, staff secretary of the under secretary general Alice Kilmann.
Additional IGP (administration and operations) of the Police Headquarters Md Mokhlesur Rahman, additional IGP Moinur Rahman Chowdhury, additional IGP Mohammad Mohsin Hossain and senior officials of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Police were also present.
Lacroix arrived Bangladesh on Sunday morning.
The UN under secretary will also visit Nepal, India, and Pakistan.
He will travel to New Delhi before concluding his trip to the region with a visit to Islamabad.
Together, troops and police from these four countries make up close to one-third of some 91,000 uniformed personnel across 14 UN peacekeeping operations.
The purpose of Lacroix’s visit is to thank the four countries for their service and sacrifice in the name of peace, as well as to update the ongoing reforms in the UN peace and security reform area, and specifically the UN secretary general’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative to make peacekeeping more focused, safer and stronger.
While in the region, Lacroix will meet senior officials from all four countries, including government, military and police officials.