International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023: Theme, History, Significance & Celebration

May 29, 2023 will be observed as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers and will be celebrated globally as a 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.”

Since its deployment on 29 May 1948 more than a million women and men have served in around 72 UN peacekeeping operations. These peacekeepers have affected the lives of millions of people and saved countless lives. Currently more than 87,000 military, police and civilian personnel are deployed in 12 different operations of peacekeeping.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023 Date

Below mentioned are the upcoming dates for International Day of UN Peacekeepers for the next 5 years.

List of all special days in May

International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023 Overview

International Day of UN Peacekeepers History

Back in 1948, a small number of UN military observers were deployed by the Security Council to the Middle East to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War and to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). It was the first UN peacekeeping mission and was established on 29 May.

Later on December 11, 2002 an official request was made by the Ukrainian Peacekeepers Association and the Government of Ukraine to the UN General Assembly to make 29 May as an annual observation.

it was decided by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 57/129, to celebrate May 29 as the anniversary of the creation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and thus International Day of UN Peacekeepers came into existence. The first ever International Day of UN Peacekeepers was celebrated in 2003.

Significance of International Day of UN Peacekeepers

United Nation Peacekeepers have saved many lives and created an environment of peace and stability in many countries over the decades. With the assistance of Member States, civil society, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and other parties the peacekeepers bring improvements in the lives of ordinary people in areas different areas of economic development, human rights, health, education and more.

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The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers provides a way to people all over the world to pay their tribute to the uniformed and civilian personnel for their invaluable contribution toward peacekeeping. It also honors the 4,200 peacekeepers who have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948.

International Day of UN Peacekeepers 2023 Theme & Celebration

The United Nations celebrate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers by presenting Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to those military personnel, police and civilians who lose their lives while serving in a United Nations peacekeeping operation. Many other awards and accolades are also offered to the peacekeepers. Different countries also honor their peacekeepers who work for the pursuit of peace. Festivals, discussion forums, and memorials in cooperation with local and national groups are also organized by the UN. A theme is decided by the United Nations to observe the day every year and to offer thanks to those working effortlessly towards establishment and maintenance of peace. For the year 2022, the theme was “People Peace Progress: The Power of Partnerships” and many events and campaigns were conducted for celebration. UN Peacekeeping campaigns are organized both online and on the ground that highlight the stories of peacekeeping and the power of partnerships that help secure progress, peace and sustainable development and people are encouraged to take part in these campaigns actively.

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