Madam Chair,
I thank USG Atul Khare, ASG Alexandre Zouev and Director DMSPC for their comprehensive and useful briefings to the Committee.
My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Morocco on behalf of NAM.
Madam Chair,
Bangladesh has always been committed to the UN’s Peacekeeping and remained active since the beginning of its journey in the peacekeeping in 1988. This 35-year long glorious journey of Bangladesh in UN peacekeeping, is a reflection of our peace-centric foreign policy ‘Friendship to all and malice towards none’ guided by our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers have earned reputation and recognition for their discipline, dedication, professionalism, sacrifice; and their contribution to an effective mandate delivery as well as for supporting the host country’s efforts for peacebuilding and sustaining peace. Now, more than 7000 Peacekeepers from Bangladesh are deployed in 10 peacekeeping missions around the globe. In this period of time, we have lost our 167 valiant peacekeepers while on duty on the Missions. I pay my utmost tribute to all peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Madam Chair,
This year, we have celebrated the 75th anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping with the theme “Peace begins with me” recognizing service and sacrifice of the blue helmets for 75 years and paying tribute to the resilience of the communities they serve by them. The peacekeeping operations has remained one of the most effective tools of the UN in its endeavor to maintain international peace and security. However, the situations in the peacekeeping operations have become more complex and challenging than ever before with multifaceted challenges including emerging geo-political tensions, increasing IED and armed group attacks on the peacekeepers, restriction of freedom of movement, SOFA violation, mis and disinformation and so on. In this regard, we take note of the progress made in the implementation of A4P + priorities for the period 2021-2023. Further concrete plans are needed after 2023 in continuing the implementation of the Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping.
Madam Chair,
Allow me to share a few points:
First and foremost, we emphasize on national ownership and consent of the parties as well as mutual trust between the Mission and host country for a successful mandate delivery. However, we are also concerned about the violations of SOFA and underscore the importance of constructive engagement between the peacekeeping missions and host countries.
Second, many peacekeeping missions are operating in a very high-risk environment with inadequate resources. Providing necessary resources is indispensable for effective mandate delivery including the Protection of Civilians mandate, as well as for ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers.
We refer to the request of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations to develop an integrated mitigation strategy and coordination framework to more actively counter the improvised explosive device threat.
We also urge to ensure necessary medical facilities including timely CASEVAC/MEDEVAC during day and night, 24/7.
Third, we welcome the strategy for digital transformation of UN Peacekeeping. Use of digital technology can be a critical enabler for protection of civilians, strategic communications, situational awareness, peacekeeping intelligence, countering the armed attacks with cutting-edge technologies and so on. However, while implementing such strategy, it is equally important to ensure responsible use of technology in coordination with host country.
Fourth, we underscore the importance of adapting a whole of mission approach for an effective strategic communication. Strategic communications is a critical enabler for lessening the tensions and reducing violence against civilians. It has a critical role in combatting the rising misinformation and disinformation against peacekeeping missions which is a serious concern in many missions. More community development/CIMIC activities can be undertaken for winning the hearts and minds of the general mass in the host community. We also highlight the role of digital technology and social media campaign in this regard.
Fifth, while talking about capabilities and mindset, we highlight the importance of a comprehensive pre-deployment training. Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) always provides special emphasis to the pre-deployment training to prepare our peacekeepers fully ready for serving in the Missions. We are ready to provide training support to other TPCCs and turn BIPSOT into a Centre of Excellence.
Sixth, peacekeeping operations form an integral part of the UN’s whole-of-system response to conflicts, including their prevention. In order to ensure sustaining impacts of peacekeeping operations, it is essential to strengthen the peacebuilding components of Peacekeeping operations throughout the life cycle of a Mission including its transition. We also acknowledge the critical role of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) in this regard.
Seventh, despite our firm commitment and continuous efforts and progress in ensuring accountability, regrettably we have seen upsurge in the incidents of crime against peacekeepers in the last couple of years. While ensuring accountability for crimes against peacekeepers is the primary responsibility of the host government, we need to reinvigorate our efforts in all aspects to ensure this. We highlight the role of Peacekeeping operations in strengthening security and judicial sector of the host country and acknowledge the contribution of government provided personnel in justice and security sector.
In terms of accountability of peacekeepers, Bangladesh maintains a ‘zero-tolerance policy’ on the act of sexual exploitation and abuse. This year we have pledged to contribute $50, 000 to the Trust Fund in support of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Madam Chair, we have been advocating for more ecofriendly UN peacekeeping in order leave a positive legacy by reducing the environmental footprint. We promote use of renewable energy and natural fibers in the peacekeeping operations. After the end of DOS Environmental Strategy in June 2023, we welcome the initiative of DOS to formulate the way forward of the Strategy and look forward to a concrete plan in this regard.
Last but not the least, we underscore the importance of full, equal and meaningful participation of women in Peacekeeping and reiterate our commitment to WPS agenda. We have been gradually increasing the number of women participations including in leadership position. We express our support to DPO’s Uniformed Gender Parity Strategy. At the same time, we urge to continue DOS’s efforts in enhancing women friendly mission setting by diminishing the barriers.
Madam Chair,
As way forward in reinvigorating our efforts to make the peacekeeping operations fit for purpose, we refer to the recommendations made by Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations i.e. C-34.
We also take note of the recommendations put forward by the Secretary General under Action 8 entitled “Strengthen Peace Operations and Partnerships”, in his New Agenda for Peace.
As one of the co-chairs of the Peacekeeping Ministerial, we are looking forward to the Ministerial to be held in Ghana in December for receiving concrete pledges from the member-States. We also look forward to a successful session of Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations i.e. C-34 in 2024 with useful recommendations.
I conclude by reiterating once again Bangladesh’s firm commitment to UN’s peacekeeping effort.
I thank you, Madam Chair.