EVOLVING TRENDS OF UN PEACEKEEPING: CHALLENGES FOR BANGLADESH AND ITS RESPONSES

This article examines the evolving trends in United Nations peacekeeping operations, such as the shift towards more complex, multidimensional missions and peace enforcement, and analyzes the resulting challenges for major troop-contributing countries like Bangladesh. The study explores the new demands placed on peacekeepers, including the protection of civilians, disarmament, and state-building tasks. The research assesses how the Bangladesh Armed Forces have responded to these evolving trends by adapting their training, doctrine, and equipment. The paper argues that for Bangladesh to maintain its position as a leading troop contributor, it must continue to adapt to the changing nature of peacekeeping. The analysis concludes by identifying key areas for future focus, including enhancing the capacity for specialized roles and strengthening the training on human rights and civilian protection.

The nature of United Nations peacekeeping has undergone a profound transformation since the end of the Cold War, moving from traditional monitoring of ceasefires to complex, multi-dimensional operations in volatile post-conflict environments. This paper analyzes these evolving trends and their specific challenges for Bangladesh, one of the world's largest and most consistent troop-contributing countries. The study begins by identifying the key trends, including the shift towards more robust mandates under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the increasing focus on the "Protection of Civilians" (PoC) as a core task, and the growing demand for specialized capabilities such as engineering, aviation, and medical units. The core of the article is an assessment of how Bangladesh has responded to these changes. It examines the pre-deployment training and the doctrinal shifts within the Bangladesh Armed Forces to prepare peacekeepers for these more complex and dangerous missions. The paper highlights Bangladesh's successful track record and the high demand for its troops, which is a testament to their professionalism and adaptability. In its concluding section, the paper looks to the future. It argues that to maintain its leading role and to continue to make a meaningful contribution to global peace, Bangladesh must further invest in specialized training, particularly in areas like gender-sensitive peacekeeping and the protection of children in armed conflict. The findings suggest that a proactive and continuous process of adaptation is key to meeting the evolving challenges of UN peacekeeping.