Dhaka: The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is being observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere in the world to honour the memories of the UN peacekeepers who laid down their lives for the cause of peace.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on Sunday assuring Bangladesh’s continued support to the United Nations for the  ‘protection and promotion’ of world peace.

Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors of military and police peacekeepers to the UN.

Bangladesh lost a total of 133 peacekeepers since 1989, the year it had started sending peacekeepers to conflict-stricken countries to establish peace there, according to the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations.

Both the President and the Prime Minister conveyed their heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all members of the UN peacekeepers, including Bangladesh.

 Meanwhile, UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organisations, will arrange events to honour the fallen peacekeepers on the day.

While the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is on 29 May, the organisation on Wednesday held ceremonies to pay tributes to the more than 3,500 people who have died on duty since 1948 and acknowledge the dedication and courage of those serving on the ground.

Three peacekeepers of Bangladesh who laid down their lives while serving in the UN peace operations last year were honored by awarding ‘Dag Hammarskjöld Medal’ along with other 117 personnel of 43 peacekeepers contributing countries at the United Nations.

Md Abul Bashar, Sainik of Bangladesh Army, serving in the UN stabilisation mission in Mali made the supreme sacrifice on October 13 last year.

Constable Motaher Hosen and Constable Md Samidul Islam of Bangladesh Police serving in the same Mission also died on 15 May, last year.