Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called on the United Nations to recruit more Bangladeshi women peacekeepers, reaffirming Bangladesh’s steadfast commitment to global peacekeeping and international security.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, at the State Guest House Jamuna.
"One thing that I strongly encourage is the participation of more Bangladeshi women in peacekeeping missions," said Professor Yunus, as the two discussed various aspects of UN peacekeeping in depth.
Bangladesh consistently ranks among the top three troop- and police-contributing countries (TPCCs), currently deploying 5,677 peacekeepers across 10 of the 11 ongoing UN missions.
Lacroix acknowledged the UN’s growing focus on gender inclusion in peacekeeping, emphasizing, “We don’t want to confine women to specific roles. The UN fully supports the recruitment of women in all aspects of peace operations.”
Professor Yunus also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s readiness to deploy additional troops and police personnel when needed. He highlighted the country’s commitment under the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS), with five units pledged at the Rapid Deployment Level.
He further advocated for greater Bangladeshi representation in UN peacekeeping leadership, both at headquarters and in the field. In response, the UN official assured continued support in promoting Bangladeshi candidates for leadership roles.
The Chief Adviser underscored Bangladesh’s strict compliance with UN vetting processes for peacekeepers and welcomed deeper collaboration on training, accountability, and human rights compliance.
It was noted during the meeting that a Bangladeshi delegation, led by the Foreign Affairs Adviser, will attend the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Conference in Berlin, Germany, from May 13–14, 2025.
Turning to regional security, Professor Yunus expressed concern over the ongoing conflict in Myanmar, including cross-border firing incidents, civilian casualties, and livelihood disruptions along the Naf River, which demarcates the border between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
He warned that continued instability in the region could escalate into broader security threats, calling for concerted international engagement to address the Rohingya crisis.
Recalling the recent visit of UN Secretary-General António Guterres to the Rohingya camps in southeast Bangladesh, Yunus said the visit offered the Rohingya community renewed hope for a safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.