- Every year on May 29th, the United Nations marks the International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
- Uniformed and civilian peacekeepers serve a vital role in maintaining and promoting peace in some of the world’s most challenging environments. This day serves to honor their dedication, bravery, and sacrifice.
- Since 1948, when the first UN peacekeeping mission was established in the Middle East, more than two million men and women have served under the UN flag in more than 71 UN peace operations.
- The global theme for the 2026 observance is “Invest in Peace”.
- Today, more than 50,000 civilian, military and police peacekeepers serve under the UN flag in some of the world’s most complex environments, where conflicts are increasingly fragmented, protracted and shaped by emerging threats, including the misuse of digital tools and the spread of harmful information. A total of 118 countries currently contribute uniformed personnel to 11 peacekeeping missions.
In his message, Secretary-General António Guterres said: “On this International Day, We pay tribute to nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year”.