New York, 07 May 2019:
The Permanent Representative (PR) of Bangladesh to the UN Ambassador Masud Bin Momen called for a strong triangular collaboration between UN Secretariat, member states and Troops Contributing Countries/Police Contributing Countries (TCCs/PCCs) to achieve comprehensive training for UN peacekeepers. He was speaking at the Open Debate on ‘Peacekeeping training and capacity building’ at the UN Security Council today. He also said that the UN peacekeepers working in the complex cultural and political situation in a foreign country require the comprehensive management of training needs. In this context the PR underscored three aspects of training and capacity building namely priorities for training needs, partnership and practices.
Regarding the aspect of priorities for training needs, Ambassador Masud highlighted Bangladesh’s priorities particularly pre-deployment training on awareness against sexual abuse and exploitation. The PR also mentioned several training courses under Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operations and Training (BIPSOT) such as Potential Observers and Staff Officers Course, Warrant Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers Peace Support Operations Course and Contingent Members Course, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) training and training for handling modern equipments. The courses were prepared following UN specified training curriculum and these are reviewed regularly as per the latest guidelines and policies of Integrated Training Service (ITS) of UNDPO.
On the aspect of partnership, Ambassador Masud referred to Bangladesh’s partnership with Germany, US PACOM & UNDPKO and UNHQs in ‘IED train the trainer course’, seminar on ‘achieving operational readiness’ and the upcoming ‘Comprehensive Protection of Civilian Course (CPOC)’.
Regarding practices, the PR put emphasis on sharing relevant experiences and practices from other UN missions and sharing recommendations of senior mission leaders to mitigate the training gaps in areas of human rights, safety and protection of troops and civilians and gender violence.
Highlighting Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s zero tolerance policy in sexual exploitation and abuse Ambassador Masud said, “Bangladesh has always stood strongly to support SG’s zero tolerance policy against all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers”. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is a member of the Circle of Leadership on the prevention of and response to sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers.
Ambassador Masud reaffirmed Bangladesh’s strong support to the SG’s initiatives on Peace and Security reforms, Action for Peacekeeping agenda, DPO’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy and shared commitments laid out by the Council.
The PR while telling about various success stories of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to increase female peacekeepers gradually. It is to mention that Bangladesh stood 5th among the TCCs/PCCs in contributing female peacekeepers in 2018.
The Open Debate was convened by Indonesia, the President of the UNSC for the current month. UN Secretary-General António Guterres delivered opening remarks focusing Improving and Strengthening comprehensive training and its related mandate which is a major shared commitment of the Action for Peacekeeping initiative. More than 60 member states participated at the event including 15 members of the council.
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