Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the Bangladesh Armed Forces suffered their most devastating setback in February 2009, stressing that no uniformed force can uphold its honour and dignity without professionalism, unity, discipline and a strong chain of command.
Speaking as chief guest at a programme marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at Senakunja in Dhaka Cantonment on Wednesday, Tarique Rahman said, “The main message for a uniformed force is that surviving with honour and dignity is difficult without professionalism, unity, discipline, and the chain of command.”
The prime minister said there had been attempts at different times to undermine the unity of the armed forces but described the events of February 2009 as the most devastating blow. He said the consequences of that incident were known to everyone.
Referring to November 7, 1975, Tarique Rahman said the army had faced conspiracies in the past but remained united under the leadership of the proclaimer of independence. He added that the nation should learn from its history rather than simply dwell on it.
He also said that in a fascism-free Bangladesh, state and constitutional institutions now have an opportunity to establish themselves with renewed strength and dignity.
Highlighting the armed forces’ contribution to the country's history, Tarique Rahman noted that a major in the Bangladesh Army had proclaimed the country's independence. He said that legacy would remain an enduring source of pride and inspiration for members of the armed forces.
During the ceremony, the prime minister presented special awards to the wives of six Bangladesh Army personnel who were killed while serving in Sudan in 2025. He also honoured armed forces personnel injured in various missions and later exchanged greetings virtually with Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed across the world.
Paying tribute to fallen peacekeepers, Tarique Rahman said 175 Bangladeshi peacekeepers had been killed while serving under the United Nations flag since 1988.
He said more than 200,000 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police had served in around 63 UN peacekeeping missions in 43 countries. At present, about 5,860 Bangladeshi peacekeepers are deployed in 10 missions worldwide, while preparations are under way to join a new mission in Haiti.
The prime minister said women account for around 11% of Bangladesh’s peacekeeping contingent, drawn from both the armed forces and police. Their participation, he added, has brought a new dimension to the country's peacekeeping efforts.
Tarique Rahman also warned that changing geopolitical realities and rapid technological advances were making UN peacekeeping operations increasingly complex and dangerous. He identified cyber warfare, the misuse of artificial intelligence, media disinformation and climate-induced security crises as emerging challenges to global peace.
He reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to the principles of independence, sovereignty, mutual respect among states and global peace, as enshrined in the country's constitution.
