International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers 2025

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is commemorated each year on May 29 to pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve in UN peacekeeping missions across the globe. Established by the UN General Assembly in 2002, this day honours the memory of peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and recognizes the contribution of all those serving to bring stability, security, and peace in conflict zones.

This year’s theme, “The Future of Peacekeeping”, reflects the global community’s commitment to adapt peacekeeping operations in response to the world’s evolving security challenges, as emphasized in the Pact for the Future adopted by world leaders in September 2023.

India’s Role in UN Peacekeeping

Fourth Largest Contributor to Peacekeeping Forces

India continues to play a pivotal role in UN peacekeeping. With a deployment of over 5,300 military and police personnel, India ranks as the 4th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN missions. Indian forces are currently stationed in several mission areas, including:

• Abyei
• Central African Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Lebanon
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Western Sahara

India’s long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping underscores its unwavering commitment to global peace and humanitarian values.

Fallen Heroes: India’s Brave Peacekeepers Honoured

Posthumous Recognition at UN Headquarters

In a solemn ceremony at the UN Headquarters on May 29, two Indian peacekeepers will be posthumously awarded the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal:

• Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, who served with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF)
• Havildar Sanjay Singh, deployed with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)

These honours are part of a larger tribute where 57 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who lost their lives in service last year will be remembered.

Global Recognition and Wreath-Laying Ceremony

UN Secretary-General Leads Tribute

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will lead the commemoration by laying a wreath in honour of the more than 4,400 peacekeepers who have died in service since the first peacekeeping mission in 1948.

Special Awards Recognizing Gender Advocacy

Celebrating Women Peacekeepers

This year’s ceremony also highlights the achievements of women in peacekeeping:

• Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana, serving with UNISFA, will receive the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award
• Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone, also with UNISFA, will be honoured as the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year

These awards reflect the UN’s continued emphasis on gender equality and the critical role women play in peacebuilding efforts.

Last year, Major Radhika Sen of India, serving in MONUSCO, was recognized with the 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award, a moment of pride for Indian peacekeeping.

Evolution and Impact of UN Peacekeeping

A Legacy of Over 75 Years

UN peacekeeping was born in 1948, with the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) to monitor the Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements. Since then, over 2 million peacekeepers have served in 71 missions worldwide.

Currently, around 68,000 uniformed and civilian personnel from 119 contributing countries operate in 11 active UN peacekeeping missions spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.