The United Nations on Thursday honoured staff serving at its field missions through several events to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed annually on May 29, is a global day to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their exceptional level of professionalism, dedication, and courage.

It is also to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

The first UN peacekeeping operation was established in 1948, and today, more than 68,000 civilian, military, and police personnel are deployed at 11 missions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as at Headquarters in New York.

The day pays tribute to their unwavering service and sacrifice while honouring the more than 4,400 blue helmets who have died in the line of duty over the decades- 57 in 2024 alone.

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, in his message, said peacekeepers “face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world”.

He highlighted growing polarisation and division across the globe, threats such as terrorism and deadly misinformation targeting peacekeepers, as well as challenges that transcend borders, ranging from climate change to transnational crime.

“Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations – and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges,” he said.

The secretary-general stressed that “it is essential that peacekeepers have what they need to do their jobs” and “this is the shared responsibility of the United Nations and member states”.

The commemoration at Headquarters included a wreath-laying ceremony as well as the presentation of awards to two outstanding women peacekeepers whose work helps to advance gender equality in the field.

(NAN)