Mr Guterres started the day by laying a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial Site on the grounds of the UN Headquarters in New York in honor of the more than 4,300 ‘Blue Helmets’ who have lost their lives during the Organization’s almost 80-year history left.
Later, at a ceremony in the Trusteeship Council Chamber, he called for a minute’s silence to remember the military, police, civilian and national personnel who paid the ultimate price.
“The memory of our fallen peacekeepers reminds us of the tragic human consequences of conflict,” he said said.
“Each loss underlines the urgent need to prevent violence, protect the most vulnerable and do everything we can to end these deadly conflicts.”
‘We will never forget them’
Last year, 61 peacekeepers from 33 countries died in the line of duty.
Their families received Dag Hammarskjöld medals, named after the second UN Secretary General who died in a plane crash in September 1961 in what is now Zambia.
“We share our deepest condolences with the families and friends,” Mr. Guterres said. “We will never forget them.”
The UN chief noted that the world is going through a difficult and dangerous time, when the international community is deeply divided, and UN peacekeepers are more important than ever.
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Currently, more than 76,000 women and men from 121 countries are deployed in 11 operations worldwide.
“Peacekeepers often operate in countries or areas where peace cannot be maintained,” he said.
“Despite direct attacks by armed groups, harsh conditions and the emergence of new weapons of war, including digital technology and artificial intelligence, our peacekeepers are persevering. And we must support them.”
Gender Advocate Award
Mr Guterres also presented the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award 2023 to Major Radhika Sen, an Indian peacekeeper who served in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Major Sen was deployed to eastern DRC with the UN peacekeeping mission in the country. MONUSCOas Commander of the Combat Platoon of the Indian Contingent.
Listen to our interview with Major Sen:
She led the unit on numerous patrols during a time of escalating conflict in North Kivu province.
Major Sen helped establish community networks, which provided women with a safe platform to share their ideas and concerns so that the UN mission could better respond to their needs.
The Secretary-General called Major Sen “a true leader and role model,” adding that “her service is a real credit to the United Nations as a whole.”
On the occasion of the wreath laying ceremony, the wreaths were laid and a ceremony was held International Day of UN Peacekeeperscommemorated annually on May 29.
UN photo/Rick Bajornas
Secretary-General António Guterres (right) greets Major Radhika Sen, recipient of the 2023 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
