INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UN PEACEKEEPERS - May 29
May 29, is "an international day to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication, and courage and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace".
This special day pays tribute to their dedication, professionalism, and bravery, while also remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace.
BACKGROUND:
General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, designated 29thMay as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
This is the date when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the "United Nations Truce Superision Organization", or UNTSO, began operations in Palestine.
Since the first UN Peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, 3,800 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease.
On 29thMay, UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organizations, hold solemn events to honor fallen peacekeepers.
ABOUT UN PEACEKEEPING:
UN Peacekeeping began in 1948 when the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of UN military observers to the Middle East.
UN Peacekeeping helps countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.
It deploys troops and police from around the world, integrating them with civilian peacekeepers to address a range of mandates set by the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the General Assembly.
COMPOSITION:
UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.
Peacekeeping forces are contributed by member states on a voluntary basis.
Civilian staff of peace operations are international civil servants, recruited and deployed by the UN Secretariat.
'2024 THEME OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UN PEACEKEEPERS:
The theme of 2024 observance: "FIT FOR THE FUTURE, BUILDING BETTER TOGETHER", highlights our commitment to adapting and embracing new solutions to respond to upcoming challenges and building sustainable peace.
To mark this occasion, the Department of Peace Operations launched a month-long social media campaign.
This initiative aims to raise awareness and foster continued support for the essential work of UN Peacekeepers worldwide.
June 2023 France has proposed ending the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, whose mandate expires June 30.
