International Day of UN Peacekeepers (29/05)

In 2002, the UN General Assembly, by its resolution (57/129), declared May 29 as International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. In recent years, it has been decided to celebrate it with events united by a common theme that changes every year.

This date is intended to pay tribute to the self-sacrifice and dedicated dedication of peacekeepers serving around the world. It marks what the UN has done in various countries to alleviate the suffering and reconciliation of warring parties. When the United Nations Security Council established the first peacekeeping mission on this day in 1948, few in the Council Chamber could imagine the extent to which UN peacekeeping would change.

The time of lightly armed peacekeepers on foot patrols along the ceasefire line between sovereign states is a thing of the past. Current UN peacekeeping operations are becoming increasingly complex and multifaceted; they are not limited to checking compliance with the ceasefire, but actually solve the problems of restoring countries that are on the verge of collapse, often after decades of conflict.

Blue Helmets and their civilian counterparts are working together to organize elections, actively participate in police and judicial reform, promote and protect human rights, uphold the principles of gender equality, organize the voluntary disarmament of former combatants, clear mines, and support measures to return refugees and displaced persons to their homes.

Over 70 years, more than 2 million men and women served under the UN flag. The work of peacekeepers carries risks. And today, on International Peacekeepers Day, the UN welcomes the work of peacekeepers and also honors the memory of fallen peacekeepers. In the entire history of the existence of UN peacekeeping forces, almost 4,200 «blue helmets» have given their lives in the name of the cause of peace.

On this day, at UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General holds a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of peacekeepers who died in the line of duty under the UN flag. In addition, on this day there is a ceremony to posthumously award the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to peacekeepers who died in the previous year in the line of duty.

UN peacekeeping operations use the Day to strengthen ties with the local people whose interests they protect. Missions organize sporting events, visits to schools and shelters, art and literary competitions, photo exhibitions, site cleaning, tree planting, concerts, conferences and seminars on peacekeeping issues.

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