Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday reiterated that her government would continue to undertake all necessary steps to upgrade the Armed Forces and Police so that they can respond to the UN call with all necessary equipment more effectively, confidently and efficiently.

‘I am urging the members of Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and Police to maintain their existing professionalism, honesty, dedication, courage and friendly attitude in the world peacekeeping operations to further brighten Bangladesh’s image in the field,’ she said.

The Prime Minister also reiterated Bangladesh government’s commitment to upgrade the Armed Forces and Police, so that they can operate in the peacekeeping missions more effectively and efficiently.

She hoped that the peacekeeping activities of Bangladesh would flourish further and the peacekeepers of Bangladesh, with honour and pride, would keep flying its ever-shining national flag around the world.

The Prime Minister said this while addressing a function arranged on the occasion of commemoration of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka on Sunday morning.

Bangladesh Armed Forces and Bangladesh Police organised the event in association with the office of United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh to commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2015.

Foreign Minister Abul Hasan Mahmood Ali, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Robert Watkins also spoke on the occasion.

Chief of Naval Staff Vice-Admiral M Farid Habib, Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lieutenant General Abu Belal Mohammad Shafiul Haque, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque, and Acting Inspector General of Police Javed Patwary were present at the dais.

Ministers, advisers, parliament members, foreign dignitaries, ex-peacekeepers from Bangladesh Army, Navy, Air Force and Police were present on the occasion.

The Prime Minister also exchanged views with the members of the armed forces deployed in peacekeeping operations in Mali and Congo through videoconferencing.

She also handed over the awards to the family members of six peacekeepers who embraced martyrdom during the peacekeeping operations. She also distributed awards among the seven injured peacekeepers.

Earlier, a minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the memories of those who embraced martyrdom in different countries during the peacekeeping operations.