On the occasion of the “International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers,” Pakistan commends the critical role being played by the peacekeepers in the maintenance of international peace and security.
Background
The General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, designated 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This is the date when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the “United Nations Truce Supervision Organization”, or UNTSO, began operations in Palestine. On this day, we pay tribute to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations, and honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.
Since the first UN Peacekeeping mission was established in 1948, 3,900 military, police and civilian personnel have lost their lives in the service of peace as a result of acts of violence, accidents and disease. 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.
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.
Who are the peacekeepers?
UN peacekeepers come from all walks of life, with diverse cultural backgrounds and from an ever-growing number of Member States. When they serve under the United Nations they are united by a commitment to maintain or restore world peace and security. They share a common purpose to protect the most vulnerable and provide support to countries in transition from conflict to peace.
Peacekeepers are civilian, military and police personnel all working together. The roles and responsibilities of peacekeepers are evolving as peacekeeping mandates become more complex and multidimensional. Peacekeeping operations have developed from simply monitoring ceasefires to protecting civilians, disarming ex-combatants, protecting human rights, promoting the rule of law, supporting free and fair elections, minimizing the risk of land-mines and much more.
Standards of conduct and training
The UN expects that all peacekeeping personnel adhere to the highest standards of behaviour and conduct themselves in a professional and disciplined manner at all times.
Special training is required to ensure that UN personnel are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to perform these diverse duties and to be prepared for particularly challenging situations. There are several types of required training from pre-deployment which covers basic UN principles, guidelines and policies to more targeted trainings related to specific issues such as sexual abuse and exploitation. These required trainings set standards for UN peacekeeping and guide personnel as they carry out critical tasks to assist the countries within which they work.
Pakistan Plays Significant Role in UN Peace Keeping Force
With an illustrious history of UN peacekeeping spanning over six decades, Pakistani peacekeepers, both men and women, have been at the forefront of international efforts to end conflicts and restore order across many regions of the world.
Over 235,000 Pakistani UN peacekeepers have served with distinction in 48 UN peacekeeping missions, with Pakistan consistently retaining the position of one of the top troop-contributing countries (TCCs) at the UN. To date, 181 Pakistani peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, protecting civilians and upholding the UN peacekeeping mandates in the process.
Pakistan is proud of the contribution of its women peacekeepers, and remains committed to enhancing their role in UN peacekeeping arena. Over 500 Pakistani women peacekeepers have served in various UN missions, earning many laurels and distinctions in the process. Pakistan was also one of the first countries to achieve the UN’s deployment goal of 15% female staff officers.
Pakistan brings a unique perspective to UN peacekeeping, not only as a leading TCC, but also as the host to one of the oldest peacekeeping missions in the world – the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). It also continues to play its role in helping adapt the UN peacekeeping operations to contemporary challenges, including through African Union-led Peace Support Operations.
On this day, Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for the principles of the UN peacekeeping, and looks forward to continue its contributions towards maintenance of international peace and security as part of UN peacekeeping operations.
Reference Link:- https://mofa.gov.pk/press-releases/international-day-of-united-nations-peacekeepers-2