United Nations, May 28 (PTI) - Two brave Indian peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving under the UN flag last year will be posthumously honored during the United Nations' commemoration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers this week. Brigadier General Amitabh Jha, affiliated with the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), and Havildar Sanjay Singh, who served with the UN Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), are set to receive the Dag Hammarskjöld medal at a poignant ceremony held on May 29. This event coincides with the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, as per a statement released.
Notably, India stands as the fourth-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping efforts. Presently, the country has deployed over 5,300 military and police personnel to various UN peace missions spanning regions such as Abyei, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
During the solemn ceremonies scheduled at the UN's headquarters in honor of Peacekeepers Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will lay a wreath to commemorate the more than 4,400 UN peacekeepers who have perished since 1948. Guterres will further oversee a ceremony where the Dag Hammarskjöld Medals will be awarded posthumously to 57 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers who fell in favor of peacekeeping operations under the UN banner last year.
The awards ceremony will also witness presentations for esteemed recognition like the 2024 Military Gender Advocate of the Year accolade, awarded to Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme from Ghana, along with the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year that will go to Superintendent Zainab Gbla from Sierra Leone. Both distinguished officers are associated with the United Nations Interim Security Force in Abyei (UNISFA). Last year, Major Radhika Sen, serving with MONUSCO, had received the illustrious ‘2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award’ from Guterres.
This year's theme for the International Day of UN Peacekeepers is the ‘Future of Peacekeeping’, which underscores that the ‘Pact for the Future’, endorsed by world leaders in September of the previous year, entails a commitment towards aligning peacekeeping dynamics with a constantly evolving global landscape, the statement highlighted.
In his message for the observance day, Guterres emphasized, “Today, peacekeepers face increasingly complex situations in an increasingly complex world... Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations -- and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.” Paying tribute to the valor and resilience of the peacekeepers, Guterres stated, “We draw inspiration from their resilience, dedication, and courage. And we remember all the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for peace. We will never forget them – and we will carry their work forward.” Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix remarked that peacekeeping personnel constitute their “most important capability” and the sacrifices endured by them demand more than mere remembrance — they necessitate action.
He further commented, “Throughout its history, peacekeeping has always adapted to ever-changing contexts to achieve results. The future of peacekeeping hinges on our collective commitment to continue to adapt and invest — so we can continue delivering hope and protection where it’s needed most.”
Instituted by the UN General Assembly in 2002, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers serves to pay tribute to all men and women engaged in peacekeeping and to honor the memory of those who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace.
Back in 1948, the launch of military observers in the Middle East to oversee the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements led to the inception of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation. Since then, over two million peacekeepers have participated in 71 operations globally.
Today, approximately 68,000 women and men are actively serving as military, police, and civilian personnel in 11 conflict zones spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with 119 countries contributing uniformed personnel.
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