Bangladesh: Three Decades of Service and Sacrifice in UN Peacekeeping Missions

United Nations peacekeepers come from diverse cultures and speak different languages, but share a common purpose: the protection of vulnerable communities and the provision of support to countries struggling to move from conflict to peace.

Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping operations, the country first deployed uniformed personnel to serve with the Organization in 1988. Over the past three decades, the contributions of these brave men and women in the countries in which they serve have been immense.

As of December 2017, there were 7,246 Bangladeshi troops and police personnel in 10 missions around the world. Bangladeshi peacekeepers work in various roles – some provide protection, heal others and design roads – but all serve under the blue flag to support the governments and peoples of the countries in which they serve.

This year marks 30 years of Bangladeshi contributions to United Nations peacekeeping. We acknowledge and appreciate their brave contribution.

  

 

World Radio Day Message by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres – “Radio and Sports”: 13 February 2018

 

Radio reaches the widest audience in the world.

In an era of dramatic advances in communications, radio retains its power to entertain, educate, inform and inspire.

It can unite and empower communities, and give voice to the marginalized.

This year, with the Winter Olympics now under way, we also recognize the many ways in which sports broadcasting brings people together around excitement and achievement.

On World Radio Day, let us celebrate both radio and sports as ways of helping people achieve their full potential.

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VOICES FROM LOCAL BANGLADESHI PEOPLE ON WORLD RADIO DAY 2018                       (Courtesy: UNESCO Office in Dhaka)

 

UN Secretary-General’s Remarks at Holocaust Commemoration [as delivered]

I would like to start by recognizing the presence of Holocaust survivors.

We thank you for sharing your testimony across the decades.

Let me also express my gratitude to Judge Thomas Buergenthal, a survivor of the ghettos and the death camps who went on to serve the United Nations with great distinction in advancing the cause of international law.

I am also grateful to Mrs. Eva Lavi, the youngest survivor on Schindler’s List, who has travelled from Israel to be with us today.

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Pioneer Female Bangladeshi Pilots Deployed in MONUSCO, Democratic Republic of Congo

Bunia, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. Pioneer female pilots deployed by MONUSCO’s bangladeshi Aviation unit (BANAIR) in Bunia. The two Bangladeshi aviators are contributing their expertise in support of MONUSCO operations aimed at bringing peace and stability in the DRC.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Video Message: An Alert for the World on New Year – 1 January 2018

1 January 2018: Dear friends around the world, Happy New Year. When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace. Unfortunately – in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse. On New Year’s Day 2018, I am not issuing an appeal. I am issuing an alert — a red alert for our world. Conflicts have deepened and new dangers have emerged. Global anxieties about nuclear weapons are the highest since the Cold War. Climate change is moving faster than we are. Inequalities are growing. We see horrific violations of human rights. Nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise. As we begin 2018, I call for unity. I truly believe we can make our world more safe and secure. We can settle conflicts, overcome hatred and defend shared values. But we can only do that together. I urge leaders everywhere to make this New Year’s resolution Narrow the gaps. Bridge the divides. Rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals. Unity is the path. Our future depends on it. I wish you peace and health in 2018. Thank you. Shokran. Xie Xie. Merci. Spasiba. Gracias. Obrigado.

Media Dialogue on Human Rights and Ethics in Journalism

Dhaka 23 December 2017: In Marking the Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations in Bangladesh with the cooperation of Somashte (a mass media organization) organized a Media Dialogue on ‘Human Rights and Ethics in Journalism’ at Daily Star Center in Dhaka. The Chief Information Commissioner of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Golam Rahman moderated the dialogue. The Director of Somashte, Executive Editor of UNB, President of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra and Deputy Editor of Daily Samakal spoke on the occasion. They highlighted on rights based approach and ethical issues in journalism. Chief Information Commissioner said, each media outlet should have an ideal editorial policy which would act as a guideline for all journalists. Senior journalists from print and electronic media, educationalist, and human rights workers took part in the dialogue. Apart from senior journalists, the Head of Dept of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University, Human Rights Advisor of UNRC Office, National Information Officer of UNIC Dhaka and UNAIDS Country Coordinator spoke on the occasion.

 

 

UNRC emphasized on youth empowerment at Dhaka University Model United Nations

In cooperation with United Nations and strategic support of UNIC, Dhaka University Model United Nations Association (DUMUNA) organized a four-day long Dhaka University National Model United Nations (DUNMUN) conference at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at Dhaka University during 18- 21 December 2017. In closing ceremony, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources graced the occasion as chief guest while Ms. Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh and Ambassador Fafooq Sobhan spoke as special guests. In his speech, the Hon’ble Minister focuses on various developmental aspects of Bangladesh and took part in Q/A with delegates. UNRC in her speech highlights a number of important issues including SDGs, Migration, Urbanization, Climate change, Rohingya, Human rights, Youth development and UN reform. Around 450 delegates from different educational institutions took part in the four day long MUN conference. The DUNMUN inaugurated on 18 December where Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Nasreen Ahmad was present as chief guest. Mr Nahim Razzak, Hon’ble MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Youth & Sports, and UNDP Country Director Mr Sudipto Mukerjee spoke as special guests. DUMUNA Moderator Prof Delwar Hossain, DUNMUN Secretary-General and UNIC NIO appreciated the organizers and delegates for their active participation.

Observance of Human Rights Day 2017 and 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Dhaka 11 December 2017: In observance of Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations jointly with Daffodil International University (DIU) organized a panel discussion, essay contest, drama and poet reading at DIU auditorium. The Theme of this year was “Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity”. The panelists were Acting Vice-Chancellor of DIU Prof. Dr. S.M. Mahbub-Ul-Haque Majumder, Dean Prof. Hamidur Rahman, Head of Law Department Dr. Farhana Helal Mehtab, Director of Students’ Affairs Mr. Syed Mizanur Rahman and Mr. Zahid Hossain Human Rights Advisor of UNRC Office. Mr. Zahid said that we need to stand up for our own rights and those of others and we must take actions in our daily lives to uphold the rights that protect all of us. UN Secretary-General’s Message on the Day was read out by Ms. Fahmida Sultana of UNIC Dhaka. Winners of essay contest on human rights were awarded with prizes.

Mia Seppo joined as the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bangladesh

Mia Seppo joined the United Nations Country Team in Bangladesh as the Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in October 2017.

Prior to her appointment in Bangladesh, Ms. Seppo has served as the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Malawi from April 2013 to October 2017, where among other initiatives she coordinated the UN system and partner support to the tripartite elections held in May 2014, the devastating floods in 2015 and the humanitarian response to the food insecurity in 2016-2017.

Between 2010 and 2013, she served as the UNDP Country Director in Sierra Leone, leading the UN support to the tripartite elections held in 2012. Ms. Seppo contributed to the UN’s work on aid coordination and development effectiveness in both countries. In partnership with the Peace Building Mission, Ms. Seppo led UNDP’s work on conflict prevention in Sierra Leone and the establishment of a National Peace Architecture in Malawi. Continue reading →

Human Rights Day 2017 Secretary-General’s Video Message and Universal Declaration of Human Rights Video Project

On the occasion of the Human Rights Day (10 December), UN Video has send a video message from the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. The Secretary-General calls on all to stand up and speak out for human rights, and help translate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the most translated document in the world – into action.

Next year, 2018, marks the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the lead-up to the anniversary, you are invited to contribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Multilingual Video Collection. Anyone can record themselves on video reading one of the 30 articles of the Declaration, in any of the 135 languages currently available on the site, and submit the video for consideration.