Bangladesh pledges advanced tech, more female personnel to bolster UN peacekeeping

Bangladesh has pledged a series of new contributions to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping operations, including the deployment of specialised military and police units, more female peacekeepers, and the integration of advanced technologies.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain made the announcement while delivering Bangladesh's national statement on the final day of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held in Berlin yesterday (14 May), according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among the key pledges was the deployment of 15% female peacekeepers in police units, the implementation of an AI-integrated camp surveillance and response system, and the installation of 1.8 MW solar panels across existing missions.

The measures, officials said, reflect Bangladesh's commitment to modernising its peacekeeping contributions and addressing the evolving needs of UN operations on the ground.

Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Hafiz, special assistant to the Chief Adviser for Defence and National Solidarity Development, participated in a parallel session of the conference as a panellist. 

He emphasised the need to enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers through structured training and the effective use of modern technology.

He also stressed the importance of responsible deployment of artificial intelligence in peacekeeping missions.

On the sidelines of the event, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Liberia, Panama, Eswatini, Guinea, the Czech Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

He also met with the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Services.