Recently the war between Russia and Ukraine has frustrated all the peoples and nations in the world because nobody wants peace for safety and development. We are watching on the TV screen or in the other media’s news about the devastation of houses, buildings, infrastructures and killing of peoples during the drive (Russia and Ukraine war) which is very much painful and a matter of regret. We know that any war does not bring any good results. It creates and causes damage, devastation, chaos, disorders between countries and even within in their internal affairs. It seriously affects a country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Products) and socio-economic development. So, peace is an indispensable condition for any development and an essential precondition for the further advancement or development of a society. Any quarrel or war between nations of the world causes bad impacts on all kinds of production and development activities. We have seen the effects of the Iran-Iraq war, internal conflicts of Afghanistan, Palestine-Israel conflicts, internal and external conflicts of African states which have caused unlimited losses of human lives and damaged infrastructures in their countries. If a nation engages in war, they will not be able to perform their domestic and international economic activities like smooth business, production, distribution, development infrastructures, export-import, attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and other mutual beneficial treaties. For this reason, Bangladesh has stressed peace, stability and good relation with its neighbours and other countries of the world. The main theme of Bangladesh’s foreign policy is “Friends of all, malice to none”.
Bangladesh is committed to the promotion of international peace, security and solidarity which dictates in the article 25 of its constitution. We know that the 1st World War occurred between the time 1914 and1918 and the 2nd World War occurred between the times 1939 and 1945. These two World Wars showed the nations of the world the effects of devastations and damages of economic, social infrastructures and humanities. These two World Wars had ruined the world economy, stability of the nations and created tensions among all nations of the world. From these experiences, the nations felt the necessity to organise a World Body like United Nations (UN) which will administer the world’s peace, stability and development of humanity. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was formed (1985) among the South Asian countries to ensure peace and development. Similarly, Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) was formed (1969) among the majority Muslim states of the world to strengthen brotherhood, peace and development. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967 with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration). The aim of ASEAN was to reduce regional tensions, accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region through joint endeavours in the spirit of equality and partnership in order to strengthen the foundation for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.
Bangladesh is a peace-loving country and it always wants peace and peaceful co-existence with other countries of the world. Bangladesh is an active member of UN peace-keeping missions and it has recognised all the activities of UN peace-keeping missions from the very beginning. It has sent troops first in 1988 to participate in the peace-keeping mission in Namibia. Troops from Bangladesh participated in the peace-keeping mission during the Iran-Iraq war in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It is a matter of great pride that Bangladesh has secured the top rank in sending troops to the United Nations peacekeeping missions amongst 118 countries, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate. It has gained recognition and position after sending a 160-member Quick Reaction Force to the Central African Republic. Bangladeshis are employed in different peacekeeping missions in the world for their skill and capacity. As far we know, at least 158 Bangladeshi peace-keeping forces had died and 237 personnel were injured during their assignment in the peace-keeping force. It indicates Bangladesh’s commitments to the world’s peace. In every mission that our peacekeepers destined, they have raised the flag of the United Nations as well as brightened Bangladesh’s image. That is why Bangladesh has become one of the highest peacekeeper-providing countries in the world. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has awarded Bangladesh peace-keeping mission as “The cream of UN peacekeepers” as recognition of their successful operation in the UN peace-keeping force. Bangladesh wants to resolve all disputes with the nations under international law and order based on equity and justice.
Peace is also necessary for humanity or human development. Bangladesh is pursuing a peaceful solution to all disputed issues and has drawn world’s attention to help a peaceful settlement of all disputed matters. It always wants peace for development, cooperation and humanity for itself and other peace-loving countries in the world because development is uncertain and at risk without a peaceful environment. Bangladesh always prioritises peace everywhere in the world. If the rich nations can spend billions of dollars for preparing for war or making of arms and ammunitions or sale of them for warring countries, they can also feed billions of starved peoples in the world during any disaster, pandemic or famine. Why peace is needed? The answer is simple we want peace not a war for our own interests. Peace is the way out of inequity and violence and a golden ticket to enter a new, brighter future for humankind. All of us are important in this epic endeavour and the future generations need every hand they can get to receive an equal, peaceful and beautiful world. We hope that the recent war between Russia and Ukraine will end in a peaceful manner for the sake of peoples of their own and the peoples of the world.
The writer writes on development & economic issues and can be reached at: [email protected]
