Press releases

[scroll down for French version] Every year on 5 December, the world observes International Volunteer Day. This year, we are highlighting the important contributions of volunteers to the response to COVID-19. Around the world, volunteers have been assisting vulnerable groups, correcting misinformation, educating children, providing essential services to the elderly, and supporting front-line health workers. 

I send my warmest greetings to this eighteenth conference of the Heads of United Nations Military Components. I would like to thank you personally and, through you, the women and men who serve with honour in peacekeeping operations, for their personal sacrifices and for the contributions they make every day to international peace and security. Today, our peacekeeping operations face the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic. I send my deepest condolences to those of you who have lost loved ones and members of your contingents during this crisis. 

In recent days, the United Nations, including the Secretary-General, has been involved in multiple initiatives to avoid an escalation of the situation in the Buffer Strip in the Guerguerat area and to warn against violations of the ceasefire and the serious consequences of any changes to the status quo. The Secretary-General regrets that these efforts have proved unsuccessful and expresses grave concern regarding the possible consequences of the latest developments.

Sixty years ago, Member States first deployed national police officers as United Nations Police – or UNPOL. This was undertaken as part of United Nations peacekeeping operations, to help protect those most in need around the world. UNPOL’s mission is to help host countries foster responsive, accountable and representative policing services. Effective policing is crucial for building peaceful, prosperous and equitable societies.  Today, more than 11,000 United Nations Police Officers are working around the world to do just that.