Momen: Govt strives at UN to enhance Bangladesh peacekeepers’ benefits

The government has made efforts at the United Nations (UN) for enhancing benefits of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, said foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while visiting Bangladesh peacekeeping contingents in South Sudan.

“Bangladesh is now contributing the most troops to the UN peacekeeping operations owing to the efficiency, acumen and professionalism of our peacekeepers,” he said.

The foreign minister made the remark while visiting Bangladesh Engineering Construction Unit and Bangladesh Marine Forces Unit deployed in United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Juba on Thursday, a foreign ministry press release said.  

Dr Momen said the government has facilitated the deployment of female peacekeepers in the UN Peacekeeping Operations as well as police units in different UN missions who have earned a lot of reputation with their performances.

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“A monument may be built in the Dhaka Cantonment to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our peacekeepers,” he suggested.

He identified the participation of Bangladesh peacekeepers as an opportunity in order to project the image of Bangladesh abroad.

“Our peacekeepers have enhanced the prestige of Bangladesh internationally by dint of their dedicated and efficient services in the UN Peacekeeping Missions,” he said.  

During the visit to the UNMISS, the foreign minister received gun salute from a smart contingent of Bangladesh peacekeepers and signed the visitors’ book.

Later, the foreign minister had interactions with the Acting Special Representatives of UN Secretary General of UNMISS, the Forces Commander of UNMISS, Mission Chief as well as the Deputy Forces Commander of UNMISS.

During the interactions, the high officials apprised the Bangladesh foreign minister about the activities of the UNMISS and profusely praised the role of Bangladesh peacekeepers there.

Bangladesh, South Sudan agree to boost collaboration

Bangladesh and South Sudan have agreed to collaborate in different areas like food security, social safety net, IT and ICT, health, medical education and vocational training.

This was stated while Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen met with his South Sudanese counterpart Beatrice Wani-Noah in Juba on Thursday. 

During the meeting, both the ministers emphasized the need of increased trade and commerce between the two countries to the mutual benefits of the two countries.

Dr Momen mentioned that Bangladesh recognized South Sudan soon after South Sudan came into being.

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The foreign minister stated that Bangladesh and South Sudan may establish cooperation in agriculture, education, food security, health, education and vocational training sectors.

He informed her that the government is striving to achieve a Sonar Bangla as dreamt by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The Bangladesh foreign minister invited South Sudanese foreign minister to visit Bangladesh at her convenience.

Momen briefed her about the tremendous socio-economic progress and women empowerment that Bangladesh has achieved during the last few decades.

He also mentioned the commendable role of Bangladesh peacekeepers in UNMISS and other Peacekeeping Operations.

Earlier in the morning, Dr Momen was received by Deputy Foreign Minister of South Sudan Deng Dau Deng at Juba International Airport.

The Bangladesh foreign minister also joined a brief discussion with the deputy Minister of Defence of South Sudan.

During the meeting, the two ministers reflected on the existing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and South Sudan.