Press releases

 am shocked and appalled by the heavy fighting that is currently taking place in Juba. I strongly urge President Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar to do everything within their power to de-escalate the hostilities immediately and to order their respective forces to disengage and withdraw to their bases. This senseless violence is unacceptable and has the potential of reversing the progress made so far in the peace process.

Today we join together in this solemn ceremony to honour the memory of the 129 men and woman who lost their lives last year while serving under the United Nations flag. These brave personnel came from 50 countries. They were international and national. They were military and police. They were civilians and UN Volunteers. They served in different jobs – but they held fast to the same universal values. Some were killed in malicious attacks. Others died in accidents. Still others fell to disease. They were all heroes and heroines who we will never forget.

Today, we gather at this memorial site to lay a wreath to honour the brave men and women who died while serving under the United Nations Flag. Last year, 129 peacekeepers from 50 countries lost their lives due to malicious acts, accidents and disease. It was the 12th time in the last 13 years that more than 100 Blue Helmets fell in one year. The tragic total since 1948 is nearly 3,500. Please join me in a moment of silence in tribute to their bravery. Thank you.

Under-Secretary-General Hervé Ladsous Remarks at Dag Hammarskjöld Medal Awards Ceremony on the  International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers  New York, 19 May 2016  Excellencies,  Colleagues,  Friends,  Thank you all for being present here today, as we honour our fallen brothers and sisters and pay tribute to their courage and sacrifice with the Dag Hammarskjöld medal recognising those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace.