International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026; May 29th.

FORUM: “The Future of Peacekeeping” International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026.  this year’s International Day looks at the invaluable contributions military, police and civilian peacekeepers have made over the last nearly eight decades. It encapsulates the spirit of progress and collective action towards creating a more equal, just and sustainable world. Today, more than 68,000 civilians, military, and police personnel serve in 11 UN peacekeeping missions, confronting increasingly complex and interconnected challenges shaped by a shifting geopolitical landscape. Despite the challenges, peacekeepers remain steadfast in their pursuit of peace. Follow: #PKday, #BuildingBetterTogether, #Peacekeeping, #29May.

EVENT: On Friday, May 29th, to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026 under the theme “The Future of Peacekeeping", the United Nations will pay tribute to their unwavering service and sacrifice, as well as the resilience of the communities they support. It also solemnly honors the more than 4,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace, including 57 in 2024 alone. Watch the livestream!

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2026; May 29th.


The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, marked every year on 29 May, is an opportunity to honour peacekeepers for their service and sacrifice.

These women and men face real risks in the line of duty, and their safety and security remain a top priority. The UN continues to strengthen protective measures to mitigate threats and enable them to carry out their mandates safely.

Below is the message by António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, on the International Day of Peacekeepers.

"Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives.

Far from home, in some of the world’s most dangerous settings, they deescalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow.

On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work. We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year.

No one should die serving the cause of peace. Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.

In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope. But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support.

This year’s theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates.

An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future.

Let us always support the people who help make peace possible.

Thank you."

United Nations Secretary-General.

WORLWIDE CELEBRATIONS:

In LEBANON: On Peacekeepers’ Day, UNIFIL reaffirms commitment and hope for stability.
On the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, UNIFIL held a solemn ceremony at its Naqoura headquarters on the 29th of May. This year’s commemoration came against the backdrop of a significantly deteriorated security situation with intensified hostilities, repeated violations along the Blue Line, and an alarming risk of further escalation. The observance took place at a time of great challenges in south Lebanon. UNIFIL Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Diodato Abagnara said: "I want just to remark that today is a very important day for us because the celebration of the United Nations Peacekeepers’ Day is one of the most important moments in the history of United Nations missions. This is another way to remark that we work for peace, for stability, and one of the most important things for UNIFIL as we are in a very particularly challenging environment. We continue to carry out the UNIFIL mission, not only to report, to monitor any kind of violations, but also to support civilians, to support humanitarian access during a particular time". A central moment of the ceremony was a tribute to fallen peacekeepers. In recent months, six UNIFIL peacekeepers lost their lives in the line of duty. Their sacrifice serves as a reminder of both the risks the peacekeepers face and the importance of the mission. I also want to remark that today is for all peacekeepers that lost their lives with dedication and professionalism for peace and stability, not only in Lebanon, but around the world. And this is the most important thing. For this reason, we will continue to work harder, day by day, in their memory and to create the best condition for peace and stability. Despite the difficult circumstances, UNIFIL has reaffirmed its enduring commitment to its mandate and to the people of south Lebanon.

In REPUBLIC DEMOCRATIC OF THE CONGO: Journée Internationale des Casques Bleus - 2026.

Servir la paix est un choix qui demande du courage et exige parfois le sacrifice ultime. À l’occasion de la Journée internationale des Casques bleus 2026, la MONUSCO honore la mémoire de ces héros venus de tous les horizons pour protéger les plus vulnérables.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2016, 29 May

اليوم الدولي لحفظة السلام,29 أيار/مايو, 

联合国维持和平人员国际日, 5月29日.

Международный день миротворцев ООН, 29 мая.

Día Internacional del Personal de Paz de la ONU, 29 de mayo.
Journée internationale des Casques bleus des Nations Unies, 29 mai.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers, 29 May.

2016 Theme: “Honouring Our Heroes”
Tema de 2016: «Honrando a nuestros héroes»
Тема 2016 года: «Чествуем наших героев»
Thème 2016 : «Rendons hommage à nos héros»
2016年主题：“缅怀我们的英雄”
شعار عام 2016: “تكريم أبطالنا”

United Nations Secretary-General's Message on the occasion of the International Day of the United Nations Peacekeepers 2016, May 29.

The confidence that the world places in United Nations peacekeeping is reflected in its massive growth in recent years, in terms of both numbers and complexity. Fifteen years ago, the UN had fewer than 40,000 military and police personnel. Today, more than 105,000 uniformed personnel from 124 troop- and police-contributing countries serve under the blue flag, along with 18,000 international and national civilian staff and UN Volunteers. They manifest the best attributes of global solidarity, courageously serving in dangerous environments to provide security to some of the world’s most vulnerable.
Over the past year, the ‘Blue Helmets’ deployed across 16 peacekeeping operations around the world have saved countless lives, advanced peace and inspired hope. In South Sudan, more than 200,000 civilians who feared for their lives sought shelter at UN bases. In the Central African Republic, peacekeepers successfully supported landmark presidential and legislative elections that have set the once deeply troubled country on a path to peace and stability. Peacekeepers have confronted armed groups in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and disarmed ex-combatants. In Mali, peacekeepers have suffered grave losses that have not deterred them from implementing their mandate. In Haiti, UN Police and civilian experts have helped to mitigate gang violence. When fears of Ebola spread around the world, peacekeepers in Liberia provided security as international experts contained the spread of the virus.
In many countries, UN mine-action personnel have transformed danger zones littered with landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions, into areas that can be used for schools, hospitals and farms.
As the size, complexity and accomplishments of peacekeeping have grown, unfortunately so have the risks. Before the millennium, about three dozen peacekeepers lost their lives each year; now that figure has spiked on average to 120.
Last year, the list of fallen numbered 129. These peacekeepers came from 50 countries, hailing from the ranks of the military, police, international civil servants, UN Volunteers and national staff. They had vastly different backgrounds, but all shared heroism and the belief that UN peacekeeping is and must remain a global force for good.
That is why it is critical to end the deeply disturbing cases of sexual exploitation and abuse on the part of international forces deployed to troubled areas. I have been unrelenting in my call for a focus on the victims. And I am proactively addressing this serious problem at every opportunity while calling on Member States, which alone have the power to discipline their forces, to impose severe consequences that provide a full measure of justice and healing to the affected communities.
Last year, I appointed a High-Level Independent Panel to review how UN peace operations can be strengthened to better meet current and emerging challenges. We are now actively engaged in adapting UN peace operations, making clear improvements to make them faster, more responsive and more accountable to countries and, most importantly, the people we are deployed to serve.
On this International Day of International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we honour our heroes – the more than one million men and women who have served under the UN flag with pride, distinction and courage since the first deployment in 1948. And we pay our highest tribute to the more than 3,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives while in service during that period. We are forever in their debt. And we pledge today to realize the full potential of United Nations peacekeeping to usher in a better future.

Ban Ki-moon

Messages and Remarks

• Secretary-General's Remarks at the Wreath-laying Ceremony Honouring Fallen Peacekeepers
• Secretary-General's Remarks at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Ceremony
• Secretary-General's Remarks at the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal Ceremony

Forum : International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers - 29 May.
Commemoration of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (Geneva 31 May 2016)

 

 

 Screening of “UN, last station before hell” followed by Panel Discussion on “Honouring our Heroes” at the UN office at Geneva commemoration of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

 

The theme for the 2016 International Day of UN Peacekeepers is “Honouring our Heroes.” The Day offers a chance to pay tribute to the "Blue Helmets" invaluable contribution to the work of the Organization and to honour more than 3,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 128 last year. Today, more than 124,000 military, police and civilian personnel are deployed in 16 peacekeeping operations on four continents.
UNPA issues stamps that feature images of the important work of UN peacekeepers around the world. The stamps are part of a joint stamp issuance with Austrian Post at the World Stamp Show in New York








Hervé Ladsous (DPKO) and Atul Khare (Field Support) International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers - Press Conference (26 May 2016)  UN Web TV



Briefing to the media by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Hervé Ladsous, and Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Atul Khare, on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.‪




More than 95 % of the UN Peacekeepers work in Missions with a protection of civilians mandate.

 Events : Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards






The Security Council established the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Medal as a posthumous award to members of peacekeeping operations "as a tribute to the sacrifice of those who have lost their life as a result of service in peacekeeping operations under the operational control and authority of the United Nations".










List of Fallen Peacekeepers to be awarded the Dag Hammarsköld Medal in 2016.

UN Peackeepers honoured at U.N. Headquarters : Mr. Ban presided over a ceremony during which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was awarded posthumously to 129 Military, Police and Civilian Personnel who lost their lives while serving in Peacekeeping Operations during 2015.



List of Fallen UN Peacekeepers to be awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at 19 May 2016 ceremony - LIST( 1)

Add caption



List of Fallen UN Peacekeepers to be awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at 19 May 2016 ceremony - LIST( 3)

List of Fallen UN Peacekeepers to be awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at 19 May 2016 ceremony - LIST( 4)

UN peacekeeping operations mark the Day by strengthening bonds with the local populations that they have been deployed to serve. For example, by holding sporting events, school and orphanage visits, art and essay competitions, photo exhibits, neighbourhood clean ups, tree plantings, concerts, and conferences and workshops on peace issues. Events around the world will be shared through the tag #Together4Peace.




Resources :

• United Nations Peacekeeping
• Remember the Fallen
• The Nobel Peace Prize for 1988
• General Assembly resolution 57/129, designating the International Day of UN Peacekeepers



#Together4Peace

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers - 29 May

 聯合國維持和平人員國際日, 5月29日.

Международный день миротворцев ООН, 29 мая.

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, May 29.
 Día Internacional del Personal de Paz , 29 de Mayo.
Journée internationale des Casques bleus, 29 Mai.
اليوم الدولي لحفظة السلام التابعين للأمم المتحدة، 29 مايو

2015年主题：“联合国70周年与联合国维和行动：过去，现在与未来”.

Тема 2015 года: «70-летие Организации Объединенных Наций и миротворчество ООН: прошлое, настоящее и будущее»

2015 THEME: “UN70 and UN Peacekeeping: Past, Present, and Future". 

Tema de 2015: El 70 aniversario de la ONU y las fuerzas de mantenimiento de la paz: pasado, presente y futuro.

 Thème 2015 : « ONU70 et maintien de la paix: Passé, Présent, Futur »

الأمم المتحدة بعد 70 سنة وعملياتها لحفظ السلام: الماضي والحاضر والمستقبل

Together for Peace

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2015 Observance.

This year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers falls during the 70th anniversary of the United Nations, offering a chance to honour the invaluable contribution of the Blue Helmets to the proud history of the Organization.  United Nations peacekeeping has given life to the UN Charter’s aim “to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security”. Through years of struggle and sacrifice, the iconic Blue Helmet has earned its place as a symbol of hope to millions of people living in war-ravaged lands.
UN peacekeeping fosters burden sharing that spreads risks and opportunities across countries large and small, and from both the developed and developing worlds. I applaud the more than 107,000 uniformed peacekeepers from 122 troop- and police- contributing countries now serving in 16 missions.
In its 70 years the United Nations has established 71 peacekeeping operations. More than 1 million people have served as peacekeepers, helping countries gain independence, supporting historic elections, protecting civilians, disarming hundreds of thousands of ex-combatants, establishing the rule of law, promoting human rights and creating the conditions for refugees and displaced persons to return home. We should all be proud of these accomplishments.
Today UN peacekeeping is adapting to new global realities, including asymmetric threats in some of the world’s most challenging environments. We have modernized our operations, introduced new technologies, broadened our base of contributors and strengthened our partnerships with regional organizations.

At the same time, demands far outpace resources. We need better funding, training and equipment. . Our troops and police must carry out ever more complex mandates while being held to the highest standards of conduct. We need developed countries to resume their historically influential role as contributors of troops. And we need stronger political support from the Member States that are responsible for authorizing, financing and contributing troops and police to the missions.
To explore how best to meet these challenges, I appointed a High-Level Independent Panel to assess the state of UN peace operations today – both peacekeeping and special political missions -- and the emerging needs of the future. This will be the first major review since 2000, and I look forward to a bold and comprehensive set of recommendations.
Today, we honour the memory of those who gave their lives to the cause of peace, and pay tribute to all men and women who carry on their legacy by serving in the field.  More than 3,300 peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag, including 126 last year.  The risks continue to grow as peacekeepers are targeted by improvised explosive devises or complex terrorist attacks.
As we commemorate seven decades of the United Nations, let us all do our part to ensure effectiveness of this flagship enterprise of the Organization.

Ban Ki-moon

• Secretary-General's remarks at Dag Hammarskjöld medal ceremony
• Secretary-General's remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony

FORUM :   International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers - 29 May

  Hervé Ladsous (DPKO) on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2015.
28 May 2015 - Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) talks about the need to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve the cause of peace worldwide.

EVENTS :  On 29 May, UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organizations, hold events to honour fallen peacekeepers. Since the first UN peacekeeping mission was established in 1948 until April 2015, 3,358 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease.

RESOURCES :

Why UN Peacekeeping Needs Global Support More Than Ever?

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2014, May 29

Theme 2014: “UN Peacekeeping: A Force for Peace. A Force for Change. A Force for the Future.

 

 On 29 May, UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organizations, hold events to honour fallen peacekeepers. Since the first UN peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, more than 3,200 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease.

FEATURE: New challenges spur UN peacekeeping to become ‘a force for the future’.

Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operation, greets a MONUSCO FIB contingent in Pinga, DR Congo. UN Photo/Sylvain Liechti

 

29 May 2014 – From deploying new technologies such as drones and robots to boosting the number of women in its ranks, United Nations peacekeeping is striving to confront new challenges and offer best value for funding as it serves communities around the world.

“The United Nations is improving logistics and administrative practices, strengthening infrastructure and taking other steps to harness the power of our personnel,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “Our goal is to ensure that peacekeeping is a cost effective, valuable investment that brings enormous benefits and, above all, saves lives.”
Today, more than 116,000 UN military, police and civilian personnel from more than 120 countries serve in 16 peacekeeping operations, often at great personal risk. They perform a variety of tasks, from stabilizing communities torn apart by conflict and protecting civilians to promoting the rule of law and advancing human rights.
To assist them in carrying out such critical duties, UN peacekeeping is on a mission of its own: to modernize and innovate to ensure it can tackle tomorrow’s peace and security challenges, and to be “a force for peace, a force for change, and a force for the future,” according to the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
“We’re operating in the 21st century and we cannot continue just using tools of 50 or 100 years ago. We have to be current with all the developments in the world,” Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations told the UN News Centre.
“We need to deliver better services, possibly for less. I think that using technology is one way to address that very legitimate concern of our Member States.”
For this reason, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May, kicks off a six-month campaign designed to raise political support and highlight the fact that UN peacekeeping is ‘good value’.
An example of the use of new technology is the introduction of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are unarmed and used solely for surveillance purposes, in the vast Democratic Republic of the Congo – a technological first for the UN and one which is now being considered for other peacekeeping operations.
One of the ways that UAVs have made an impact on the ground was earlier this month during a ferry accident in Lake Kivu. After a UAV spotted a boat in distress, the UN peacekeeping mission in the country immediately sent its speedboats and helicopters to the scene and was able to rescue 15 people.
“From the second it spotted the sinking ship, the UAV stayed at the scene searching for survivors and providing situational awareness,” said Ameerah Haq, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support.
“This illustrates the flexibility and the ability of UAVs to greatly enhance situational awareness and aid life-saving operations by the provision of real-time imagery to support reaction to incidents,” she added.
Also in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where communities are under threat from armed militias, the UN deployed a specially equipped ‘Force Intervention Brigade’ to support the national army. In November, the brigade successfully supported the military defeat of the M23 armed group, liberating areas under its control and removing the threat posed to civilians.
The UN has also enhanced its use of thermal imaging, closed-circuit television, night vision abilities and GIS [geographic information systems] data to improve situation awareness to provide better for the safety and security of its peacekeepers.
As part of the ongoing effort by the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and of Field Support (DFS) to take advantage of emerging technologies and innovations, a group of five experts is being tasked with advising on how best to use these capabilities.
The group, led by seasoned peace and security expert Jane Holl Lute, will examine how these technologies can be leveraged to enable peacekeepers to respond more effectively to an increasing number of complex, multidimensional tasks in challenging field environments.
It will also look at how technological innovations can improve operational effectiveness, multiply impact and enhance safety and security of both peacekeepers and host communities.
As part of its modernization endeavour, the UN is boosting the representation of women among its ranks, with the belief that female peacekeepers serve as role models in local communities, inspiring women and girls in often male-dominated societies.
In an historic move earlier this month, the Organization appointed its first-ever female force commander. Major General Kristin Lund of Norway will take over military command of the UN mission in Cyprus, whose top leadership post is held by another woman, Lisa Buttenheim.
“I think it’s very important that the UN took this step to appoint a female force commander and I hope that I can be a role model for other female officers that see that it’s possible,” Major General Lund told the UN News Centre at the time of her appointment.
UN blue helmets are also aiming to ‘go green’ through the responsible use of limited resources, in a bid to leave mission areas in better shape than when they arrived. Among other steps, GIS data is being used to help find water sources for missions so as not to compete with the local water supply.
Missions are also including waste water treatment plants designed to drastically reduce the need for water and generation of disposable waste, as well as exploring alternative sources of energy such as solar panels.
Another way the UN is looking to innovate is by strengthening partnerships with Member States and regional and sub-regional organizations as well as pursuing cooperation between missions. In Mali and the Central African Republic, it has worked closely with the African Union and other sub-regional groups.
“Looking forward, we will need to develop those partnerships more and more,” said Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Edmond Mulet, who noted that regional and sub-regional organizations are often the “first respondents” when conflict breaks out, especially on the African continent.
“The world is changing. The threats are changing. The levels of conflict are changing in many places in the world,” he added. “So we have to adapt and we have to evolve and we have to learn how to deal with these new challenges.”

UN honours ‘blue helmets,’ seeks to build modern, adaptive peacekeeping force

Wreath laid in honour of the 106 peacekeepers who lost their lives the previous year while serving under the UN flag. UN Photo/Devra Berkowitz

List of Fallen in 2013 (Peacekeepers) 

UN Peacekeeping : The Fallen by Country nationality, Rank, Names, Date of Incident, Missions, Appointment Type, Gender. Peacekeepers lost in 2013.

 

   

Hailing the “long and proud” history of United Nations peacekeeping – with over one million “blue helmets” having served in more than 70 operations on four continents since 1948 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon led the Organization today in honouring those men and women who lost their lives in the past year, while looking to the future, envisioning a modern, global force that can effectively tackle emerging peace and security challenges.

On this International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May, the world body honoured the 106 peacekeepers who died last year while serving under the UN flag, bringing the total number of lives lost in the history of peacekeeping to more than 3,200.

“We mourn the passing of every one of these courageous individuals. We grieve with their friends and families and we recommit ourselves to ensure that their contributions to the cause of peace will never be forgotten,” declared the Secretary-General in his message for the Day.

He noted that today, more than 116,000 UN personnel from more than 120 countries serve in 16 peacekeeping operations. “At great personal risk, these military, police and civilian personnel help stabilize communities, protect civilians, promote the rule of law and advance human rights.”

The annual wreath-laying ceremony took place for the first time at a newly-created site on the north end of the UN’s New York Headquarters complex.

Opening that solemn ceremony, Mr. Ban said 2013 was the sixth year in a row that more than 100 peacekeepers died. Some were killed when their convoys came under attack in Darfur and South Sudan.
Others had lost their lives to explosions in Mali. Still others were taken by floodwaters in Darfur. “In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and elsewhere, our peacekeepers were shot while protecting civilians.” He said, adding that in the Middle East, Haiti and beyond, many succumbed to deadly diseases and other dangers that are part of their life-saving work.

“The threats continue this year. The insecurity in South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Mali and Darfur has tested us to the limits of our capacities,” the Secretary-General said, underscoring that the Organization is doing everything possible to protect its personnel in the field. “Despite our best efforts, we can never reduce the risks entirely,” he added sombrely.

“That is why today, we applaud the courage, dedication and professionalism of the 120,000 peacekeepers who are now deployed in some of the most dangerous places on earth. I pay them my highest tribute,” said the UN chief.

In his remarks at the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards Ceremony, Hervé Ladsous, Under-Secretary-General for UN Peacekeeping Operations said those blue helmets that had lost their lives had not perished merely for an ideal: “Our peacekeepers have made a practical difference on the ground, and this perhaps what matters most.”

As for current on-the-ground operations, he said UN peacekeeping is providing a dynamic response in some of the planet’s most complicated and difficult places. “Our peacekeepers continue to be in high demand and for UN peacekeeping to be relevant and effective, we must not just keep up with this changing environment, we must be a step ahead of it.”

Echoing the theme of the day, Mr. Ladsous said peacekeepers are working tirelessly so that UN Peacekeeping can be “A Force for Peace, A Force for Change, A Force for the Future.” By introducing unarmed, unmanned aerial vehicles (UUAVs) in the DR Congo, UN peacekeeping has shown “that we are able to be modern and use latest technologies to monitor movements of armed groups and allow us to better protect vulnerable populations.”

“By rapidly erecting protection of civilian sites for 90,000 civilians fleeing war in South Sudan – sometimes from an empty plot of land – we have shown that we are able to adapt under tough circumstances to respond to developing crisis,” said Mr. Ladsous, adding that by going after armed groups in the foothills of North Kivu with ferocity and vigour, UN peacekeeping has shown that it “will not back down” when confronted by those who would threaten the most vulnerable.

“Of course, none of this would happen without the support of our partners. Today, I would like especially to commend the Member States, who provide troops and police, resources and funding, training and equipment – our contributing States. I thank you all for your hard work on our behalf,” he said.

Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Ms. Ameerah Haq said that 22 civilians had been among those who lost their lives while serving in UN peacekeeping missions, including in Liberia, Darfur, and South Sudan. On behalf of the Secretary-General and the Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support, she extended deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased.

“Our civilian colleagues in the field toil day-in, day-out on the frontlines of today’s conflicts,” she said noting that whether mediating inter-tribal conflicts, documenting human rights violations, or reporting on the state of fragile ceasefire agreements, they carry out their work at great personal risk and sacrifice.

“We can pay no greater tribute to those who have lost their lives than to ensure that their aspirations are pursued and ultimately realized.”

Mr. Ban said earlier that UN peacekeeping is modernizing to ensure that it can tackle tomorrow's peace and security challenges. It is deploying new technologies such as refining its practices to better protect civilians, and boosting the representation of women among its ranks while strengthening its partnerships with regional organizations.

“The United Nations is improving logistics and administrative practices, strengthening infrastructure and taking other steps to harness the power of our personnel,” he said, adding: “Our goal is to ensure that peacekeeping is a cost effective, valuable investment that brings enormous benefits and, above all, saves lives.”

He noted that over the past year, the Security Council established two peacekeeping operations – in Mali and in the Central African Republic – again highlighting its trust in UN peacekeepers to take on tough challenges.

In addition, the UN mission in the DRC, known as MONUSCO, helped the Government defeat the M23 rebels that had preyed on civilians in the country's east, he said, while also highlighting another first: “In an historic breakthrough, a woman was named the first female Force Commander of a UN peacekeeping operation.”

Earlier this month, the Security Council established the "Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal," named after an unarmed Senegalese peacekeeper who lost his own life after saving as many as a thousand people during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

“This medal will honour UN personnel who demonstrate exceptional courage. Let us all commit to following the selfless example of Mbaye Diagne and other fallen heroes, as we work together to help our blue helmets be a force for peace, a force for change, and a force for the future,” declared the Secretary-General.
In his message for the Day, John Ashe, President of the General Assembly, encouraged Member States, civil society and other stakeholders to support this year's theme: “UN Peacekeeping: A Force for Peace. A Force for Change. A Force for the Future.”

“We must ensure that security challenges are addressed in the countries where peacekeepers work so that we can create a more sustainable future for all members of the international community,” he said.
As the UN and the international community continue the global effort to set the stage for the creation of a post-2015 development agenda, innovation and technology, especially the transfer of new and emerging technologies will greatly contribute to strengthening global security. “We must continue to create new ways of using these technologies to protect those at greatest risk in conflict and war-torn countries,” said Mr. Ashe.

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News Tracker: past stories on this issue

On Peacekeepers Day, Ban leads UN in paying tribute to fallen heroes

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Senior UN officials highlight need for strengthening capabilities of peacekeeping operations

On International Day, Secretary-General Applauds Courage of 120,000 Peacekeepers Now Deployed in Most Dangerous Places on Earth

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers to Be Observed at New York Headquarters, Offices Worldwide, 29 May

FORUM : International Day of the United Nations Peacekeepers, May 29th

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2013, May 29th.

 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers to be observed at Headquarters, 29 May

 

  On this International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, observed annually on 29 May, the world body honoured 111 peacekeeping personnel who died last year and paid tribute to the some 3,000 others who have fallen in the line of duty since the first peacekeepers deployed 65 years ago.

 

SECRETARY-GENERAL'S MESSAGE FOR THE 2013 OBSERVANCE

This year’s International Day of Peacekeepers is an opportunity to raise awareness about new developments in the field while honouring those who lost their lives over the past year serving under the blue flag.
United Nations peacekeeping is increasingly called on to deploy multi-dimensional operations to help countries transition from conflict to peace, with a significant focus on protecting civilians, including the most vulnerable among them: women and children. 
To meet emerging threats and rise to new challenges, United Nations peacekeeping is adapting its policies to better fulfil its mandates to bring lasting peace to war-torn countries.
We see one example of a new approach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the Security Council has authorized the deployment of an “Intervention Brigade” as well as unarmed, unmanned aerial vehicles to improve our ability to operate in this vast region.
Peacekeepers in Mali will operate under tough conditions marked by armed groups that threaten national and regional security. The mission will help stabilize the country, foster national reconciliation and protect civilians.
UN peacekeeping is also working to help reform national rule of law institutions. By strengthening the police, courts, and corrections, UN peacekeeping forges trust in local authorities. A fair and predictable rule of law system contributes, in turn, to stability and sustainable development long after our troops leave.
While we welcome these advances, we acknowledge that peacekeeping will always carry risks. Unidentified assailants have recently ambushed and killed peacekeepers in the DRC, Sudan and South Sudan, while blue helmets serving in the Middle East have been detained.
One hundred and eleven peacekeeping personnel died last year, and more than 3,100 have lost their lives during the UN’s 65-year history of peacekeeping.  We salute their bravery and mourn their passing.
On this International Day, let us pay solemn tribute to those who have fallen, support the more than 111,000 serving soldiers and police from 116 countries, and continue adapting our operations to better help civilians who need protection and support.

Ban Ki-moon

 

 

 

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE 67th SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers recognizes the selfless contribution made by men and women who have served across the world as Blue Helmets under the UN flag.
I join in solemn remembrance of the 101 peacekeepers who died in 2012. They made the ultimate sacrifice in the discharge of their duty. Collectively, we should celebrate the nobility, integrity and courage with which they dedicated their lives to the UN.
I would also like to pay tribute to the over 110,000 military, police and civilians who continue to serve in 15 peacekeeping operations in some of the world’s harshest environments. They are truly in the front-line of the UN’s global operations, never far from harms’ way.
The presence of the United Nations on the ground in troubled areas is an indispensable instrument of peace. For many decades, it has greatly contributed to reducing hostilities between belligerents, while helping create an atmosphere more conducive to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means.
The preamble of the UN Charter states that one of the aims of the organization is to “reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.”
Through their dedication and professionalism, the colleagues we are honoring today embody and personify the aims of our august gathering of nations. They have defended the aspirations of the United Nations towards peace and security, development, and human rights, values that we all hold so dearly.
The General Assembly is proud to have established the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers following a resolution adopted in 2002. As President, I remain committed to strengthening the role of UN peacekeeping.
I continue to engage with Member States on how we can more decisively support those who serve under the UN flag in conflict-ridden areas throughout the world.

Vuk Jeremić