75 Years of UN Peacekeeping: Peace begins with me

The General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, designated 29th May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. 

This was the day in 1948 when the first United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission named the "United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation", or UNTSO, began operations in Palestine.

On this day, we pay tribute to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

Since the first UN Peacekeeping mission was established, about 3,900 military, police and civilian persons have lost their lives in the service of peace, as a result of acts of violence, accidents and diseases.

On May 29, UN offices, alongside member states and non-governmental organisations, hold solemn events to honour fallen peacekeepers.

At the UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General presides over a wreath-laying ceremony in honour of all peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.

In addition, the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal is awarded posthumously to the peacekeepers who have fallen while serving in the cause of peace, during the preceding year.

UN Peacekeeping operations use the day to strengthen bonds with the local populations that they have been deployed to serve.

Prominent contributor

As a prominent contributor, currently the seventh largest, of UN peacekeepers, Ghana will join the rest of the world to commemorate the day with a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the fallen heroes and to pay tribute to the thousands of Ghanaian military troops, police and prisons officers and civilians who continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations all over the world.

Who are the 
peacekeepers?

UN peacekeepers come from all walks of life, with diverse cultural backgrounds and from an ever-growing number of member states.

When they serve under the UN, they are united by a commitment to maintain or restore world peace and security.

They share a common purpose to protect the most vulnerable and provide support to countries in transition from conflict to peace.

Peacekeepers are the military, police and civilians all working together.

The roles and responsibilities of peacekeepers are evolving as peacekeeping mandates become more complex and multidimensional.

Peacekeeping operations have developed from simply monitoring ceasefires to protecting civilians, disarming ex-combatants, protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law, supporting free and fair elections, minimising the risk of landmines and much more.

Theme

The theme for this year’s day is “Peace Begins with Me: 75 Years of UN Peacekeeping”.  

For 75 years, peacekeepers have helped countries to navigate the path from conflict to peace.  

As ordinary people working in dangerous conditions to achieve extraordinary outcomes, their courage and commitment inspire us to take action.

Today, peace-making is harder than ever amidst rising global political tensions.

Conflicts are more complex and prolonged, peacekeepers face terrorists, armed groups and their allies who have access to powerful modern weapons and technology.

Misinformation and disinformation are fueling violence against UN personnel and partners.

Attacks against peacekeepers increased from 280 in 2020 to 463 in 2021.

It is critical to draw attention to the fact that for peace to reign, individuals have a responsibility to respect one another, co-exist and maintain peace.  

Aside from a flag-raising ceremony at the forecourt of the State House today, the ministry will also plant trees in memory of Ghanaian fallen heroes and host a photo exhibition.

These activities are to demonstrate Ghana’s continuous significant role and recognition of UN peacekeeping as key to promoting peace and security in the world.

The occasion will also provide the opportunity for the UN and the government of Ghana to reaffirm their commitment to supporting peace and security.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, and the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, will address the gathering, which will be attended by selected members of the security service agencies, students, the diplomatic community and the media.

The essence of the flag-raising activities includes creating and increasing awareness of UN peacekeeping among the media, promoting partnerships as critical to protection and peacebuilding and issuing a call to collective action, promoting the tangible impact of peacekeeping through social media and recognise the service and sacrifice of peacekeepers facing increasing threats to their own health and well-being as well as the communities they serve.

Let us all pay tribute to those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace and get our communities involved to appreciate the service and sacrifice of UN peacekeeping.

By the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration