Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called on the United Nations to recruit more Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions, reiterating Bangladesh’s strong commitment to global peace and security.
The Chief Adviser made the appeal during a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix at the State Guest House Jamuna, where various aspects of UN peacekeeping were discussed in detail.
“One thing that I encourage is the participation of more Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions,” said Prof Yunus, adding that Bangladesh remains committed to contributing to peace and stability worldwide.
Bangladesh is currently among the top three troop and police-contributing countries (TPCCs), with 5,677 peacekeepers serving across 10 of the 11 active UN missions.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, while acknowledging Bangladesh’s significant contributions, reaffirmed the UN’s policy of increasing female participation in peacekeeping roles. “We don’t want to confine women to specific roles,” he said, noting the UN’s support for involving women in all dimensions of peace operations.
The Chief Adviser reaffirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to deploy additional troops and police when required. He mentioned Bangladesh’s pledge of five units at the Rapid Deployment Level under the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS).
Prof Yunus also stressed the importance of enhancing Bangladeshi representation in leadership roles at both UN headquarters and in the field, a proposal welcomed by the visiting UN official.
Regarding human rights and accountability, the Chief Adviser noted that Bangladesh maintains strict adherence to UN vetting standards for peacekeepers and expressed interest in enhanced collaboration with the UN on training and compliance mechanisms.
Lacroix informed the Chief Adviser that a Bangladeshi delegation, led by the Foreign Adviser, will participate in the upcoming UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin, scheduled for May 13–14, 2025.
Turning to regional concerns, Prof Yunus expressed alarm over the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, particularly cross-border firing incidents and civilian casualties near the Naf River, which borders Bangladesh and Myanmar. He cautioned that continued unrest could lead to greater instability in the region.
He called for robust international efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis and ensure sustainable peace. Recalling UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s recent visit to Rohingya camps in southeastern Bangladesh, Prof Yunus said the visit had rekindled hope among displaced Rohingyas for a safe and dignified return to their homeland.
