New Delhi, May 29, 2024: On Thursday, May 30, the United Nations will observe the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, paying tribute to the bravery and dedication of the men and women who work tirelessly to maintain peace and security in conflict-affected regions.
External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar expressed his admiration on X (former Twitter), stating, “On the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, salute the valour of the brave men and women who dedicate themselves to maintaining peace and security in regions affected by conflict. Honour especially those who have made the supreme sacrifice in carrying out the cause of @UNPeacekeeping.”
Currently, about 76,000 peacekeepers serve in 11 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Among those to be honoured posthumously with the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld medal is Indian peacekeeper Naik Dhananjay Kumar Singh. Singh, who served with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), lost his life in the line of duty. He is one of over 60 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers recognized for their supreme sacrifice.
India stands as the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, with over 6,000 military and police personnel deployed across various missions including in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara. Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice, the highest number from any troop-contributing country.
Secretary-General António Guterres will lay a wreath to honour all UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and will preside over a ceremony in the Trusteeship Council Chamber where the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals will be awarded posthumously to 64 peacekeepers, including 61 who died last year.
Additionally, the Secretary-General will present the 2023 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award to Major Radhika Sen, an officer from Himachal Pradesh, India, who served with MONUSCO. Created in 2016, this award recognizes the efforts of individual peacekeepers in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace, and security.
In his message, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the critical role of peacekeepers: “Today we pay tribute to the more than 76,000 United Nations peacekeepers who embody humanity’s highest ideal: peace. Day in and day out, at great personal risk, these women and men bravely work in some of the most dangerous and unstable places on Earth to protect civilians, uphold human rights, support elections, and strengthen institutions. More than 4,300 have paid the ultimate price while serving under the UN flag. We will never forget them.”
The theme for the 2024 International Day of UN Peacekeepers is “Fit for the Future, Building Better Together,” highlighting the enduring relevance of UN peacekeeping over the past 75 years. The Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace policy brief outlines a path for multilateral peace and security operations to remain effective tools in addressing future crises and conflicts.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, underscored the evolving nature of UN peacekeeping: “UN Peacekeeping remains a unique global partnership, with peacekeepers from over 120 countries making a meaningful difference every day to millions of people in some of the world’s most difficult places. As we respond to tomorrow’s challenges, UN Peacekeeping continues to evolve, leveraging partnerships to be nimble, responsive, and fit-for-purpose, promoting stability, protecting the vulnerable, and helping to build a durable peace.”
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, established by the UN General Assembly in 2002, honours the men and women serving in peacekeeping and commemorates those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace. Since the historic deployment of military observers to the Middle East in 1948, more than 2 million peacekeepers from 125 countries have participated in 71 operations worldwide.