International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

29.05.2018 12:02

Ukrinform

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was designated by UN General Assembly Resolution 57/129 of December 11, 2002, "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." On this day, in 1948, the UN Security Council established the first peacekeeping mission. Seventy-one peacekeeping operations have been carried out since then. Over the past 70 years, more than 1,000 peacekeepers have served under the UN flag, and 3,326 of them have died during the performance of their official duties.

Over 100,000 servicepersons, police officers and civilian staff from 125 countries currently serve in 14 peacekeeping operations on four continents. The purpose of each mission is to save lives, prevent massive atrocities, and create the basis for building peace.

In Ukraine, this day was introduced by a presidential decree "On the International Day of Peacekeepers" of April 30, 2003. Ukrainian peacekeepers have been part of international missions since 1992. During this time more than 44,000 Ukrainian soldiers have taken part in them, and 54 of them have been killed. During the years of Ukrainian peacekeeping operations, Ukraine was included in the top 20 active peacekeeping states. As part of cooperation with NATO and the UN, Ukrainian peacekeepers were sent to Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Kuwait, Sierra Leone, Iraq and other hot spots. At present, the Ukrainian Armed Forces take part in eight international peacekeeping operations in six countries and the Abyei region.

It is worth recalling that in addition to this day, the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Day is marked in Ukraine on July 15.