Press releases

by Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix

Dag Hammarskjöld medal Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let us begin today’s ceremonies with a minute of silence in memory of all the peacekeepers that have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.  [PAUSE FOR SILENCE] Thank you. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers inspires great pride and inspiration. On this day, the peacekeeping community, both at the headquarters and around the world, gathers to honour our heroes. 

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General The Secretary-General welcomes the start of peace talks today between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North Abdelaziz al Hilu faction mediated by South Sudan in Juba. The United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) is represented at the talks by Special Representative Volker Perthes.   The Secretary-General reiterates the importance of the representation and participation of women at all levels of the peace process.  

New York Headquarters will observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on Thursday, 27 May.  Secretary-General António Guterres will lay a wreath to honour the more than 4,000 United Nations peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948 and preside over a ceremony at which the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal will be awarded posthumously to 129 military, police and civilian peacekeepers from 44 countries, who lost their lives serving under the United Nations flag in 2020 and in the first month of 2021.