Today (25 May), UN Headquarters observed the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers and marked the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping.
In 1948, the historic decision was made to deploy military observers to the Middle East to supervise the implementation of Israel-Arab Armistice Agreements in what became the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization.
Since that time, more than two million peacekeepers from 125 countries have served in 71 operations around the world.
Today, 87,000 women and men are serving in 12 conflict zones across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
During formal ceremonies at United Nations Headquarters, Secretary-General António Guterres laid a wreath to honor the more than 4200 UN peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948.
He has also presided over a ceremony in the General Assembly Hall at which Dag Hammarskjöld Medals have been awarded posthumously to 103 military, police, and civilian peacekeepers, who lost their lives serving under the UN flag last year.
