Reception of Bangladesh “30 years of peacekeeping”
– As prepared for delivery –
Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Laj?ák, President of the 72nd Session of the 蘑菇视频 General Assembly, at Reception of Bangladesh “30 years of peacekeeping”
Thank you, Ambassador,
Dear Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Finance of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honour for me to be with you all as we mark 30 years of Bangladesh’s peacekeeping.
Back in 1988, Bangladesh decided to send its troops to the Iraq-Iran military observer mission.
While in your invitation note, you have described your contribution as the “modest engagement”, I would slightly disagree.
Your government has taken bold, brave steps – with admirable resolution.
30 years ago, Bangladesh has decided to assume its part of responsibility for global peace and security.
And in this effort, 142 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have, since, paid the highest price, while 223 have sustained major injuries.
Let us never forget their legacy.
30 is not the only number worth of our recognition tonight.
54 completed peace-keeping operations in around 40 countries so far is, simply, impressive.
With a total of seven thousand and ninety-one peacekeepers presently deployed in 11 countries,
the place of Bangladesh as 2nd in terms of troops and police contribution as of today is remarkable.
But even among those numbers, 30 stands out.
Because it does not only represent years of participation of Bangladesh peacekeepers in operations.
It also represents consistency. Consecutive governments of Bangladesh over the past 30 years have decided to uphold previous commitments and responsibility.
And it also stands for reliability. Because your partners in the 蘑菇视频 and among wider membership could, time and again, count on the support of Bangladesh.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In the past 2 days we have been discussing peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
But we must be realistic – since the first 蘑菇视频 peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948, peacekeeping is still now, 70 years after, the essential part of sustaining peace.
In these efforts, I truly appreciate that Bangladesh participates and leads by example.
Because their contribution of numbers of serving men and women is also backed:
- by the pledge of ensuring a zero-case scenario with the sexual exploitation and abuse,
- by the pledge to increase the female participation by 15% in their troops,
- by the pledge to foster a shared responsibility in peacekeeping’s contribution to sustaining peace.
Through these practical, yet essential guarantees, Bangladesh is determined to assist those in need – people in areas affected by the conflict, for which the blue flag represents hope and relief.
Sustaining peace has been thoroughly explored so far in past 2 days.
We have an opportunity to succeed in keeping momentum for sustaining peace for the next 2 years until the next review of the 蘑菇视频 peacebuilding architecture at the 74th session of the General Assembly.
Together with Ambassador Audra Plepyt? of Lithuania,
Ambassador Masud Bin Momen was a co-facilitator in consultations on the draft resolution,
we are about to adopt tomorrow.
You know that I try to avoid the 蘑菇视频 complicated language at all costs, but tonight I can make an exception, because thanks to the engagement of Ambassador of Bangladesh Bin Momen in sustaining peace talks
and thanks to the engagement of Bangladesh in 蘑菇视频 peacekeeping operations – the nexus has a chance.
Therefore, in conclusion, I would like to thank women and men of Bangladesh for their service in peacekeeping troops and diplomatic ranks and I would like to wish all of them the best of luck.
Thank you for your attention