• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tribute to the fallen heroes, stating, “On this Peacekeeping Day, I honor the 4,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since the inception of UN Peacekeeping.”

In a world marred by wars and conflict, the pursuit of peace remains a paramount goal. United Nations Peacekeepers, often referred to as Blue Helmets, play a crucial role in this endeavor. Comprising military, police, and civilian staff, these dedicated individuals take on a wide array of responsibilities to help advance peace across the globe.

Every year on May 29, the world observes the International Day for UN Peacekeepers. This day is dedicated to honoring their unwavering service and sacrifice, as well as the resilience of the communities they support.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has paid tribute to the fallen heroes, stating, “On this Peacekeeping Day, I honor the 4,400 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since the inception of UN Peacekeeping.”

He has emphasized that these peacekeepers died while serving humanity’s most noble cause: peace. “Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he affirmed.

UN peacekeepers courageously step into danger to protect those in need, preserve peace, and restore hope. Guterres remarked that now, more than ever, the world requires the United Nations, which in turn needs a fully equipped UN Peacekeeping force to address today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.

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The United Nations also emphasized the significance of this day, stating, “The UN observes the 77th International Day of UN Peacekeepers, honoring their service and sacrifice. Since 1948, over 2 million peacekeepers have served in 71 operations.” They further noted, “On this day, we commemorate over 4,400 fallen peacekeepers, including 57 in 2024.”

The UN Peacekeeping mission was first established in May 1948, when the Security Council authorized the deployment of UN Military Observers to monitor and maintain the ceasefire during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Currently, there are 11 peacekeeping missions ongoing worldwide, with operations in Africa including Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic, among others. The UN peacekeepers are vital in ensuring stability and security in these regions.