The global community commemorates the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers annually on 29 May to honor the remarkable men and women who have served in UN peacekeeping missions. This special day pays tribute to their dedication, professionalism, and bravery, while also remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace.
This year, the International Day will be marked on Thursday, 30 May at the United Nations Headquarters.
The theme of 2024 observance: "Fit for the Future, Building Better Together", highlights our commitment to adapting and embracing new solutions to respond to upcoming challenges and building sustainable peace.
Events will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony, where Secretary-General António Guterres will pay tribute to the peacekeepers who have fallen while serving for peace across United Nations Peacekeeping operations. He will then present the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and the 2023 Dag Hammarskjöld Medals, honoring peacekeepers who have lost their lives in service. Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will also hold a press conference at the noon briefing of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General. Later that day, at UN Headquarters in New York, active uniformed officers will be honored at a medal parade, recognizing their dedication to global peace.
To mark this occasion, the Department of Peace Operations launched a month-long social media campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness and foster continued support for the essential work of UN Peacekeepers worldwide.
For more information, follow @UNPeacekeeping on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok, and use the hashtags #Peacebegins and #PKDay to share your own content, and visit our interactive site.