Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that Bangladesh’s peacekeepers are a source of pride in establishing world peace. He said that the contribution of Bangladesh’s peacekeepers in establishing world peace is a shining example. Bangladesh is committed to maintaining its strong position on the world stage for peace, global stability and humanity.

The Prime Minister made this statement while addressing a function organized at the Dhaka Cantonment’s Senakunj on the occasion of the International United Nations Peacekeepers Day-2026 on Wednesday as the chief guest. She said that 175 peacekeepers from Bangladesh have been martyred so far while performing their duties under the UN flag. Their sacrifice will be a glorious history in establishing world peace.

The Prime Minister said, “The achievements of our peacekeepers on the world stage have been possible only through hundreds of adversities, limitations and difficult challenges. It is the main duty of the armed forces to ensure that this glory of the country does not fade in any way.”

Earlier, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the heroic peacekeepers who have made outstanding contributions to maintaining world peace and sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Then, she presented special honors to the wives of six soldiers who were martyred in Sudan in 2025 while serving in a UN peacekeeping mission. He also presented awards to members of the armed forces who were injured in the attack and recent ongoing missions. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman also exchanged virtual greetings with members participating in peacekeeping missions in various countries.

Highlighting the statistics of Bangladesh’s contribution to maintaining world peace, the Prime Minister said that so far, more than 200,000 peacekeepers from the country’s armed and police forces have successfully served in about 63 missions in 43 countries around the world. Currently, 4,212 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are working with honesty and dedication in 9 missions around the world, and preparations are underway to join a new mission in Haiti.

Especially praising the courageous participation of about 11 percent of women members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police, along with men, in the UN peacekeeping force, she said, “This activism of women members has added a new dimension to peacekeeping operations.” Recalling the historical context of the armed forces, the Prime Minister specifically mentioned that the role of the army in the Bangladesh Liberation War was historic and it was a major of the army who declared the independence of Bangladesh. Citing this glory as a source of endless inspiration for the armed forces, he emphasized on the discipline and chain of command of the forces.

He said that just as the army stood united under the leadership of the Declaration of Independence on November 7, 1975, in the past, the forces must move forward by confronting all kinds of internal and external conspiracies, including the all-out assault on the armed forces in February 2009.

This special event, organized to celebrate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026, was attended by senior government officials, top leaders of the armed forces and police, and foreign diplomats and delegations from various countries, including the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh.