International Day of Peacekeepers observed in Geneva

Paying tribute to the thousands of men and women who currently serve, or have served, as United Nations peacekeepers, more than 60 former blue helmets gathered at the Palais des Nations in Geneva today at a ceremony in observance of the fourth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

“We pay tribute their courage in hazardous and complex circumstances, and we salute their dedication to the values and principles of the United Nations,” the Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, said.

At the solemn gathering, members of the diplomatic community, UN staff members and peacekeepers as well as their family members observed a minute of silence for the more than 2,200 men and women who have given their lives in the service of the United Nations and its ideals since the first peacekeeping operation was established in 1948.

During the discussions that followed, participants spoke of the countless risks involved in serving in some of the world's most dangerous conflicts for the cause of peace and in the service of humanity.

Mr. Ordzhonikidze recalled that 2005 witnessed the deaths of more peacekeepers in the service of peace than in any other year in the past decade; a year in which 124 peacekeepers, both military and civilian, from 46 countries lost their lives to violence, disease and accidents.

The observance was also an occasion to reflect on the nature of the current peacekeeping challenges and the need to address them effectively amid growing demands for United Nations peacekeeping. Listed among these challenges was the struggle to get some of the world's most capable military forces more engaged in UN peacekeeping efforts.

Participating in the round table discussion was Ambassador Toufiq Ali, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN Office at Geneva, whose country is currently the largest contributor to UN peace operations, with over 10,000 military and police personnel serving in 11 of the 18 current missions. “The success of peacekeeping operations hinged upon the image, credibility and integrity of peacekeepers and the operations themselves,” he said.

General Pierre Le Peillet, a former blue helmet who served in the UN mission in the Suez Canal, spoke of how peacekeeping operations have evolved since its early days, highlighting the increased number of intra-State conflicts and the more complex nature of today’s operations.

Representing the academic community, Daniel Warner of the Geneva Institute of International Studies stressed the key central role peacekeeping plays throughout the world. “Peacekeeping is one of the most visible activities of the United Nations and goes to the heart of its ideals,” he said.

Laurent Attar-Bayrou, the President of the Soldiers of Peace International Association, one of the co-organizers of the event, said the Day was an opportunity to spotlight the “tireless” approach of the UN in working for peace and security. Underlining the vital role peacekeepers have been making since the inception of UN peacekeeping nearly 60 years ago, he said “peacekeepers should be recognized for their true value and for their own unswerving support.”

Mr. Attar-Bayrou said it was of utmost importance to improve training and selection procedures for peacekeepers and called on the international community to support the establishment of regional peacekeeping training centres.