UN pays tribute on day to recognise peacekeepers, including over 4,000 from Bangladesh

Marking the International Day of Peacekeepers, the United Nations (UN) on Friday honoured over 50,000 peacekeepers worldwide, including over 4,000 from Bangladesh.

The UN also paid tribute to those who gave their lives in service of peace. 

"Their work underscores the urgency of investing in peace," said UN office in Bangladesh.

The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, marked every year on 29 May, is an opportunity to honour peacekeepers for their service and sacrifice.

These women and men face real risks in the line of duty, and their safety and security remain a top priority. 

The UN continues to strengthen protective measures to mitigate threats and enable them to carry out their mandates safely.

In a message, Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres, said, "Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives."

Far from home, in some of the world's most dangerous settings, they deescalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow, he said.

"On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work. We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year," Guterres said. 

He said no one should die serving the cause of peace. "Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times."

In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope, said the UN Chief. "But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support."

This year's theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates.

"An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future. Let us always support the people who help make peace possible," Guterres said.

To mark the International Day at UN Headquarters, the UN Secretary-General will lay a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial in honour of fallen peacekeepers on Thursday (5 June).

Following that, he will preside over an in-person ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjold Medal will be awarded posthumously to fallen peacekeepers. 

He will also present the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year awards.

The Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will be the guest at the noon briefing on 5 June.