United Nations Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping operations

• What is peacekeeping?
  • Peace and Security
  • Principles of peacekeeping
  • Success in peacekeeping
  • Mandates and the legal basis for peacekeeping
  • Role of the Security Council
  • Role of the General Assembly
  • History of peacekeeping
    • The early years
    • Post Cold-War surge
    • The present
  • Reform of peacekeeping
    • New Horizon
  • Peacekeepers Day
  • Dag Hammarskjöld and UN Peacekeeping
• Current operations
• Past operations
• Forming a new operation
• Financing peacekeeping

International Day of
United Nations Peacekeepers

29 May is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

The day has two purposes:

• to honour the memory of the UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the cause of peace; 
• to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN Peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage.

Remembering fallen peacekeepers

On 29 May, UN offices, alongside Member States and non-governmental organizations, 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.

Since the first UN Peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, more than 2,950 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease.

Events in our missions

UN Peacekeeping operations use the Day to strengthen bonds with the local populations that they have been deployed to serve. For example by holding sporting events, school and orphanage visits, art and essay competitions, photo exhibits, neighbourhood clean ups, tree plantings, concerts, and conferences and workshops on peace issues.

Previous Peacekeepers Days

The UN General Assembly designated Peacekeepers Day in 2002 [A/RES/57/129] . In recent years, we have encouraged the celebration of the Day under a common theme:

• 2011: Law. Order. Peace – focusing on our efforts to strengthen rule of law. There is a free photo exhibition of our work in the area of police, justice and corrections in the Northeast Gallery of the Visitors Lobby at UN Headquarters. The traditional wreath-laying ceremony and the annual Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Ceremony were also held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
• 2010: Ayiti Kanpe (Haiti Standing) – remembering the earthquake in Haiti that resulted in the death of 102 UN personnel, including 97peacekeepers;
• 2009: Women in peacekeeping – the important role of women peacekeepers;
• 2008: 60th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping.