Bangladesh vows continued peacekeeping despite 6 deaths in Sudan: Touhid
Touhid said the tragedy underscored the harsh realities of a world where conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to deepen, while xenophobia, intolerance, racism and Islamophobia spread across regions
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain today (14 December) condemned the deadly attack on a UN peacekeeping base in Sudan, saying Bangladesh remains firmly committed to global peace and multilateral cooperation despite the tragic loss of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers.
"In line with our commitment to global peace, we strongly condemn yesterday's cowardly attack on the UN peacekeeping logistics base in Kadugli, Sudan, which tragically claimed the lives of six Bangladeshi peacekeepers and left several others injured," he said.
The foreign adviser was addressing the 11th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in Riyadh.
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Touhid said the tragedy underscored the harsh realities of a world where conflicts and humanitarian crises continue to deepen, while xenophobia, intolerance, racism and Islamophobia spread across regions.
He warned that in the digital age, division is travelling faster than ever, with misinformation, hate speech and deep fakes posing serious threats to peace and shared humanity.
Highlighting Bangladesh's longstanding role as one of the leading troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations, Touhid said Dhaka firmly supports intercultural and interfaith dialogue, tolerance and mutual respect.
Referring to Bangladesh's annual UN resolution on the Culture of Peace, he said it reflects the country's belief that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but rests on justice, compassion and human dignity.
He also reiterated Bangladesh's humanitarian commitment in hosting over 1.2 million Rohingyas displaced from Myanmar, stressing that the victims of genocide must be allowed to return to their homes with safety and dignity.
Calling for stronger global action, the foreign adviser urged empowering youth, promoting intergenerational dialogue, investing in inclusive education and expanding cultural exchanges through arts, sports and responsible media to foster empathy and trust.
He stressed the need to uphold justice and accountability for victims of forced displacement and to reject all forms of incitement to hatred, including on digital platforms.
"Bearing this in mind, let us promote the values of unity, illuminate the path of understanding, celebrate the beauty of diversity and uphold our shared humanity," he said.
The 11th Global Forum of the UNAOC is being hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on December 14–15, 2025 under the theme "UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity — Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World."
The Forum brought together political leaders, international and regional organisations, religious leaders, private sector representatives, civil society, academia, youth, arts, sports and media to renew their shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect and understanding.
It also marked the 20th anniversary of UNAOC and aimed to chart its future course toward lasting peace.
