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PM Sheikh Hasina Hails Bangladesh as a Role Model for Global Peace
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared today that Bangladesh has become a role model in global peacekeeping, urging for the cessation of ongoing wars and advocating for dialogue to resolve conflicts, redirecting funds from arms races to human welfare.
“Bangladesh is a dependable name in the efforts of protecting peace and safety alongside establishing global peace. We are acknowledged by all and have become a role model on the global stage,” she stated.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing an event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2024.
She noted that 6,092 Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including 493 women, are serving with distinction in 13 UN peacekeeping missions.
“Our peacekeepers are working with fame and glory,” she said, adding that heads of state and government where Bangladeshi peacekeepers are deployed have highly praised their efforts.
“I feel really proud hearing the appreciation,” she continued.
Sheikh Hasina emphasized that Bangladesh follows the ideals of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in its pursuit of global peace.
“We are actively participating in other international forums alongside the UN peacekeeping missions to establish global peace,” she said.
She recalled that Bangladesh’s “Culture of Peace” proposal was unanimously adopted by the UN in 1999, leading to the declaration of the year 2000 as the “International Year of the Culture of Peace.”
The Prime Minister highlighted Bangabandhu’s role as an envoy of peace and a voice for the oppressed, which earned him the “Joliot Curie Peace Medal” on May 23, 1973.
Sheikh Hasina commended Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their dedication to protecting civilians, human rights, and establishing peace globally, noting that they have shared Bangladeshi culture and language with the communities they serve.
“The people of those countries have given you untold love and affection,” she said.
“Overall, our professionalism, efficiency, and commitment in establishing global peace have set an example for others,” she continued, urging peacekeepers to continue their efforts to enhance Bangladesh’s reputation further.
She paid tribute to the 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers who lost their lives and the 266 who were severely injured in the line of duty.
Chief of Army Staff General S M Shafiuddin Ahmed, Senior Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, and United Nations Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis also spoke at the event. The program began with a minute of silence to honor the fallen peacekeepers.
A video documentary showcasing the achievements of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in UN missions was screened, and the Prime Minister handed out awards to three injured peacekeepers.
Leaders of the quota reform movement have resolutely refused to negotiate with the government, insisting that their movement will persist until their demands are met.
In a Facebook post, Hasnat Abdullah, a coordinator of the movement, declared, “No discussion through stepping onto blood.”
Asif Mahmud, another prominent leader, echoed this sentiment, stating, “There can be no dialogue with bullets. I would prefer death over this betrayal.”
He further elaborated, “On one side, there are bullets. On the other, there is a call for dialogue. We can’t sit for dialogue while stepping onto the blood of our brothers.”
Earlier, leaders of the quota reform movement accused the government of escalating the law and order situation towards violence, asserting that their movement was peaceful until the government’s intervention.
Vowing to continue their struggle, Asif Mahmud stated, “We will continue our protests till we achieve our demands for reformation of the quota system, reopening of the halls and campuses, making university campuses terror-free, withdrawing political forces from the campuses, and punishing the killers and attackers.”
He added, “The people of the country have encircled those who tried to corner us. No conspiracy will be able to derail our movement.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged both local and international investors to invest in the extraction of marine resources from Bangladesh’s extensive sea areas.
“In order to fortify the blue economy through the diverse utilization of our marine resources, I call upon local and foreign investors to seize the opportunity to invest in Bangladesh. This will enable us to harness more of our marine resources,” she announced.
The Prime Minister made these remarks during the inauguration of the Bangladesh International Aquaculture and Seafood Show-2024 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka.
She emphasized the importance of adhering to proper standards in the collection, distribution, and processing of fish to boost exports, aiming to make fish the country’s second-largest source of foreign currency.
Sheikh Hasina pointed out that her government has made limited progress in harvesting fish and other sea resources from the deep sea due to a lack of interest from local investors.
“Therefore, we need foreign investment to advance in this area. This is the reality we must face,” she noted.
She also suggested that both local and foreign investors can collaborate in joint ventures or invest separately in this sector to achieve better results.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate and moderately heavy rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across all eight divisions of the country over the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
In its weather bulletin issued this morning, the BMD stated, “Light to moderate rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty wind is expected in a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Additionally, one or two places in Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, and Barisal divisions may experience similar conditions, with moderately heavy falls anticipated at several locations in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.”
The bulletin also highlighted that the current mild heat wave sweeping across the Rangpur division and the districts of Tangail, Chuadanga, Rajshahi, Pabna, Bogra, and Netrokona may persist.
Daytime temperatures are expected to rise slightly, while nighttime temperatures are likely to remain nearly unchanged throughout the country.
On Wednesday, the highest recorded temperature was 36.7 degrees Celsius, observed in Rajshahi, Rangpur, and Rajarhat. The lowest temperature recorded today was 26.0 degrees Celsius, noted in Bandarban and Teknaf.
Over the last 24 hours, rainfall amounted to 16 mm in Bandarban.
For the capital, the sun will set at 6:48 pm today and rise at 5:21 am tomorrow.
