UN Commemorates Peacekeepers on International Day
The United Nations will pay tribute to three courageous Moroccan peacekeepers by awarding them the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously. This prestigious recognition will be part of the commemoration of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, which is celebrated globally on May 29 each year. According to an official announcement from the United Nations Information Centre in Rabat, the ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 5 at the UN headquarters in New York City, under the theme "Investing in Peace." The event will be graced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who is set to lay a wreath in honor of fallen peacekeepers and preside over the awarding of this distinguished medal to a total of 68 peacekeepers, comprising military personnel, police, and civilians, who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty. Notably, 59 of these fallen heroes died in the past year alone.
The three Moroccan recipients of this honor include Corporal Driss Guebgabi and First-Class Soldier Achraf Boukdama, who both served with the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), alongside First-Class Corporal Jawad Erritali, who was part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). Morocco has distinguished itself as a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping efforts, ranking ninth among countries for military and police personnel contributions. Currently, more than 1,300 Moroccan peacekeepers, including 78 women, are deployed across missions in the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Sudan.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers and Ongoing Recognition
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers was established by the UN General Assembly in 2002 to honor the brave individuals who have contributed to peacekeeping missions since the inception of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in 1948. As per official UN statistics, over 50,000 peacekeepers from various countries, including civilian, military, and police personnel, are currently engaged in some of the world's most challenging environments. In total, 118 nations are contributing uniformed personnel to 11 ongoing peacekeeping missions, demonstrating a collective commitment to global peace and security.
During the upcoming ceremony, Secretary-General Guterres is also anticipated to present additional honors, including the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage and awards for the 2025 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year. Guterres, in a statement commemorating the occasion, expressed profound gratitude for the sacrifices made by both past and present peacekeepers, underscoring the international community's duty to support their vital work. He highlighted the grim reality that nearly 4,500 peacekeepers have lost their lives since 1948, with the toll including 59 individuals within the last year. "No one should die in the service of peace," he remarked, emphasizing the need for member states to guarantee the safety and security of UN personnel at all times.
In light of escalating global tensions, Guterres reiterated the importance of peacekeeping as a proven and cost-effective mechanism for restoring stability and extending hope to those in conflict zones, calling for sustained political and financial support for these essential initiatives. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, echoed these sentiments, affirming that despite the challenges of rising conflicts and limited resources, UN peacekeepers remain dedicated to protecting civilians and preventing violence. "Investing in peacekeeping is an investment in stability, prevention, and the possibility of peace itself," Lacroix stated. As reported by en.hespress.com.
