The United Nations on 29 May 2025 paid solemn tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who lost their lives in service over the past 78 years, marking the International Day of UN Peacekeepers with ceremonies at UN headquarters in New York. The observance included the presentation of multiple honours and a wreath-laying at the Peacekeepers Memorial on the North Lawn.

Secretary-General's Address

UN Secretary-General António Guterres presided over the ceremonies, describing the UN Blue Helmet as 'a symbol of hope for communities in their darkest hour.' He highlighted the breadth of peacekeeping work, noting that personnel are 'curbing violence, enabling political solutions, supporting elections, delivering humanitarian assistance, clearing landmines, and so much more.'

'They do so in the face of acute danger, displaying levels of bravery and initiative that stir the heart,' Guterres said, adding that 'we pay the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice.'

Key Awards and Recipients

Guterres conferred the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal on 68 peacekeepers from 33 nations, of whom 59 were killed in the previous year alone. 'They represent the best of humanity — people prepared to risk everything to keep others safe,' he said.

The Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage was awarded to two peacekeepers: the late Sergii Prykhodko of Ukraine and Matias Reyes of Uruguay.

India's Abhilasha Barak, deployed with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), received the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year award. Stephanie Königs of Germany, who served at the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), was named UN Woman Police Officer of the Year.

Scale of UN Peacekeeping Today

According to the United Nations, more than 51,000 civilian, military, and police personnel are currently deployed across 11 active peacekeeping missions worldwide. Since the UN began its peacekeeping operations, more than 2 million personnel have served in 71 missions across four continents over 78 years.

The UN General Assembly designated 29 May as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers through a resolution adopted in 2003, choosing the date to mark the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping mission, UNTSO, in 1948.

India's Contribution Recognised

India has historically been among the largest contributors of troops to UN peacekeeping missions. Abhilasha Barak's recognition as Military Gender Advocate of the Year underscores India's continued engagement with UN-led peace operations, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Lebanon. Notably, this is not the first time an Indian peacekeeper has received a UN gender award, reflecting a sustained commitment to integrating gender perspectives into field operations.

With conflicts persisting across multiple regions, the UN's annual tribute serves as both a memorial and a call to sustain political and financial support for peacekeeping mandates in the year ahead.