Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh believes in peace and will do whatever is necessary for peace.

He said, ‘We believe in peace, not conflict. Bangladesh always believes in peace and will do whatever it takes to establish peace.’
Sheikh Hasina said this in her chief guest address at a function organized on the occasion of International UN Peacekeepers Day-2023 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) today.

“We want a peaceful solution to any conflict,” he said.

The Prime Minister also said, ‘We don’t want an arms race. Because women, children and every family suffer the most. So our goal is to protect them from this suffering.’

The government said that ensuring peace in the world is now more difficult than in the past. Because evil forces are taking away the peace of people’s lives using technology.
He said, ‘With the recent development and advancement of technology, new threats of evil forces are increasing.’

Sheikh Hasina said that technology is giving people opportunities in all fields including socio-economic development. But in addition to this, we also see that the evil forces are also using technology to create confusion among people and take away the peace of people’s lives. Therefore, peacekeepers in UN peacekeeping missions have to deal with complex multidimensional situations.

He opined that, ‘and therefore, the need to enrich peacekeeping missions with advanced technology has increased manifold.’
Sheikh Hasina said her government has always prepared Bangladeshi peacekeepers with the latest training to deal with complex situations in the most challenging and dangerous regions of the world.

He said, ‘We are ensuring the supply of clothing, other essential items and modern military equipment compatible with the environment, weather and terrain of the mission area.’

In this context, Sheikh Hasina also said that the government has included modern mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles and advanced technology in the Bangladesh contingent for the communication of peacekeepers.

The Chief Minister added, ‘Incorporation of modern technology and training is an ongoing process – which we will continue in the future as well.’
Minister of Foreign Affairs also spoke at the event. AK Abdul Momen, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and UN Resident Coordinator Gwen Lewis.

At the beginning of the program, a minute’s silence was observed to pay tribute to the brave martyrs who sacrificed their lives for peace.
A documentary titled ‘Bangladesh in Global Peace’ was screened at the event.

The family members of the five slain peacekeepers received the award from the Prime Minister. He handed over awards to the five wounded Shantikhis.
Later, the Prime Minister launched the International Peacekeeper Journal.