Africa calling more Bangladeshi peacekeepers!

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said more peacekeepers, weapons, and ammunition would soon be taken from Bangladesh for various peacekeeping missions in Africa, reports The Daily Star.

He said this when Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen requested him to recruit more Bangladeshi peacekeepers, during a meeting on the sidelines of the 10th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in New York on Monday.

Momen also requested Guterres to appoint more Bangladeshi officials to different political and military positions at the UN Headquarters.

UN Secretary-General applauded Bangladesh's significant contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations and conveyed the gratitude of the international community to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for providing shelter to the Rohingyas and offering continued humanitarian assistance to them.

Addressing the NPT Conference at the UNGA Hall, Foreign Minister Momen urged the international community to unite against the perpetual holding of nuclear weapons by a handful of nations in total disregard for the safety and security of humanity.

He reiterated Bangladesh's support to the effective implementation of the NPT through its three pillars -- nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He emphasised the need for non-discriminatory implementation of Article IV of the Treaty, which recognises the inalienable rights of all countries to develop, research, produce, and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, including power generation, healthcare, and agriculture.

The foreign minister called for increased investment and international cooperation in the research of nuclear technology and exploring the potentials of its peaceful use for the benefit of humankind.

Mentioning the expenditure of $82.4 billion in 2021 for the upkeep of nuclear weapons amid the pandemic, he urged the states to stop senseless investments in destructive nuclear weapons and instead redirect these resources to promote health, address climate change, achieve the SDGs, and promote peace and stability.

Bangladesh acceded to the NPT on September 27, 1979, and was among the first few countries to ratify the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) in 2019.

Momen also held bilateral meetings with Slovenia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tanja Fajon; Hungary's Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijiarto, and Argentina's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Santiago Cafiero.