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."
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.
