International Day of United Nations PeacekeepersBureau of International Organization Affairs Today, we mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, commemorated annually to honor those whose service in UN peacekeeping operations helps to prevent conflicts from breaking out, end wars, alleviate humanitarian crises, and restore stability and security in regions emerging from conflict around the globe. Coming just a day after the United States celebrated our own Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the United Nations peacekeepers serving far from their homes in this self-less cause. We highlight on this day the importance of over 100,000 UN military, police and civilian peacekeepers serving in 15 peacekeeping operations, ranging from Haiti and Timor to the Middle East and Africa. We particularly note the sacrifice of over 2,300 UN personnel who have given their lives on United Nations peacekeeping missions since 1948. This includes 107 peacekeepers who lost their lives in 2006,and most recently a United Nations peacekeeper who was tragically murdered in the Darfur region of Sudan this past weekend. We also take this opportunity to highlight the importance of UN peacekeeping operations as an example of multilateral efforts to share the burden of promoting international peace and security, with all UN members sharing the financial costs and well over 100 countries contributing uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations. |
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