Bangladesh has called for stronger political support, increased funding and modern operational capabilities for United Nations peacekeeping missions to better protect civilians amid rising global conflicts and rapidly evolving security threats.
Speaking at a UN side event titled “Dialogue to De-escalate: How United Nations Military Peacekeepers Protect Civilians through Dialogue and Engagement” at the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, Salahuddin Noman Chowdhury said UN peacekeepers continue to play a critical role in safeguarding civilians in increasingly complex and volatile conflict zones.
He warned that geopolitical rivalries, technological transformations, and persistent funding shortages are creating serious challenges for the effective implementation of Protection of Civilians (POC) mandates in UN missions.
The ambassador stressed that peacekeeping operations must adapt to changing realities, particularly the emergence of artificial intelligence-driven threats and new forms of warfare technology. He emphasized the importance of providing peacekeepers with adequate training, resources and modern equipment to address evolving security risks and maintain operational effectiveness.
Referring to ongoing humanitarian crises, including the war in Gaza and the prolonged Rohingya crisis, Chowdhury expressed concern over the growing number of civilian casualties and displacement. He underscored the urgent need to ensure unhindered humanitarian access, strengthen the safety and security of peacekeepers and promote dialogue-based initiatives to de-escalate conflicts.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the envoy also highlighted Bangladesh’s longstanding commitment to UN peacekeeping operations and reiterated Dhaka’s support for multilateral efforts aimed at conflict prevention and civilian protection worldwide.
The event included a panel discussion featuring senior officials and peacekeeping experts, including Cheryl Pearce, Humphrey Nyone and Herly Sinaga.
The session was co-hosted by Bangladesh alongside Australia, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Uruguay and Zambia, in partnership with the Stimson Center. The discussion was moderated by Lisa Sharland and attended by senior UN officials, diplomats and peacekeeping specialists.
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