UNB, Dhaka:

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged the international community to end the arms race and instead spend the money for eradication of poverty and easing the adverse impacts of climate change.

“The money for arms development and competition can be provided to the climate fund for the countries that are now going to be affected by climate changes in order to protect mankind from climate adversities. And the money can also be used on food for the poor children, as well as education and health of the underprivileged children,” she said.

The prime minister was addressing a programme arranged in the city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2024 and pay tributes to the fallen peacekeepers and those who had been wounded while on peacekeeping duty.

Pointing to the countries which are spending a huge amount of money on arms development and arms race, she said, “We talk about peace. But why do you engage in conflicts?”

Had this money spent on the arms race been spent on food for hungry people, education and medical treatment for the poor, then peace would have been established in this world. The living standard of people would have improved and the people could live in a decent manner, said Hasina.

“Currently, conflicts and wars in different parts of the world are disrupting world peace,” she said citing Russia-Ukraine war, Israel’s genocide in Gaza, the forcibly displaced Rohingya people of Myanmar.

The wars and conflicts have created a dire situation for mankind, she said.

“As the arms race continues to rise, the lives of people become more and more miserable,” she said, adding that the women and children are suffering the most and young people are losing their lives due to conflicts and wars.

The premier stressed the need for solving problems and disputes through negotiation. “We don’t want war, we want peace. We want to solve everything through dialogue. A large number of people in the world still live below the poverty line,” she added.

She said Bangladesh has become a role model for global peace.

“Bangladesh is a dependable name in the efforts of protecting peace and safety alongside establishing global peace. We are acknowledged by all as we have become a role model on the global stage,” she said.

She said currently 6,092 Bangladeshi peacekeepers, including 493 women, are deployed in 13 UN missions around the world and they have already successfully completed 63 missions in different countries in the world.

Bangladesh, the premier said, is now observing 36 years since it started contributing troops to the UN peacekeeping missions.

She said Bangladesh is currently the largest troops-contributing country to UN peacekeeping. “They (Bangladeshi peacekeepers) have been working with fame and glory,” she said.

She said leaders of the countries where Bangladeshi peacekeepers are now working have highly praised them. “I feel really proud of the compliments,” she said.

The prime minister said Bangladesh is actively participating in other international forums alongside the UN peacekeeping missions to establish global peace.

“Overall, our professionalism, efficiency and commitment in establishing global peace have set an example for others,” she said.

The prime minister greeted the Bangladeshi peacekeepers and all other peacekeepers working in the UN missions on the international day.

At the outset of the event, one-minute silence was observed in remembrance of the peacekeeping heroes who sacrificed their lives for the noble cause of world peace.

In the function, the prime minister handed over awards to three wounded peacekeepers.

Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis spoke on the occasion.

This year, the day is being observed with the theme of “Fit for the future, building better together.”

The premier unveiled the International Day of UN Peacekeepers Journal-2024 (volume-10).

Currently, 6,092 Bangladeshi UN peacekeepers, including 493 women, are deployed in 13 countries. Among the Bangladeshi peacekeepers, some 4970 members are from Bangladesh Army, 352 members from Bangladesh Navy, 406 members from Bangladesh Air Force and 364 members from Bangladesh Police.

Since its inception, a total of 168 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have been killed in UN peacekeeping missions.