International Day of UN Peacekeepers
Every year on May 29, The United Nations Peacekeepers observe International Day. It is an opportunity to recognize the essential contributions of both uniformed civilian personnel who have worked for the organization. On the honor of the day, about 4,000 peacekeepers who have died while serving under the United Nations banner since its creation in 1948. The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) was the first ever peacekeeping operation and officially established by the United Nations. The United Nations General Assembly adopted this day on the 29th of May because the date when the first U.N peacekeeping mission was named as United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) which has operated in Palestine since 1948. Their purpose was to observe the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Until then, the United Nation has carried out around 72 successful UN peacemaking operations and have saved millions of peoples from around the world.
The International Day of United Nation Peacekeepers honors peacekeepers for their resilience and sacrifices, as well as to pay respect to those people who lost their lives while serving under the United Nations. Peacekeepers have played an important role significantly in global development. Since 1948, over two million civilians and military/police personnel have been working to help war-torn countries to become peaceful. More than 70,000 peacekeepers are currently serving in missions around the world.
In addition, this day also gives peacemakers an opportunity by hosting activities such as sporting events and peace conferences to get to know the communities better and understanding the communities they serve. It is an important day to honor and show appreciation for the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to keep and maintain peace over the last 70 years. U.N Peacekeeping has special advantages and unique strengths including the capacity of deploying troops and police from all around the world to bring peace to war zones. The nature of these operations is determined by what is to be needed to be resolved as to the relevant crises.
On this 75th anniversary, we express our gratitude to the more than one million men and women who have served under the UN banner and saved countless lives. We also honor the more than 3.700 helmets and we pay tribute to the around eleven missions that are still active to protect people and promote the cause of peace. As we recognize the legacy and sacrifice across the world, action is dedicated to peacekeeping to make the operations safer and effective in day’s challenging situations. We are also committed to emphasizing the important roles that our troops must play in promoting peace to human rights.
References
United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025. (n.d.). United Nations Peacekeeping. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/united-nations-peacekeeping-ministerial-2025
Halpe, N., & Halpe, N. (2025, May 4). International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers- 29th May, 2025 | UNESCO Body & Mind Wellness Club. UNESCO Body & Mind Wellness Club | Healthy & Self-Aware Individuals for World Peace. https://unescobmw.org/2025/05/04/international-day-of-united-nations-peacekeepers-29th-may-2025
Mohsin, H. (2022, July 28). INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UN PEACEKEEPERS – May 29, 2025 – National Today. National Today. https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-of-un-peacekeepers/
United Nations. (n.d.-a). International Day of UN Peacekeepers | United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/observances/peacekeepers-day
United Nations peacekeeping. (n.d.). United Nations Peacekeeping. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en
Our history. (n.d.). United Nations Peacekeeping. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/our-history
UNTSO. (n.d.). United Nations Peacekeeping. https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/mission/untso
Better World Campaign. (2025, March 19). UN Peacekeeping – Better World campaign. https://betterworldcampaign.org/un-peacekeeping