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Secretary-Basic António Guterres started the commemoration by laying a wreath on the Peacekeepers Memorial at UN Headquarters, in homage of the greater than 4,200 blue helmets who’ve sacrificed their lives over the previous seven a long time.
‘Without end in our hearts’
He additionally honoured the 117 peacekeepers who died final 12 months.
“Our fallen colleagues got here from 42 totally different international locations and numerous backgrounds. However they have been united by a typical trigger: peace,” he mentioned.
“I prolong my deepest condolences to their households. They may stay eternally in our hearts.”
The Worldwide Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is noticed yearly on 29 Might to rejoice the contribution of uniformed and civilian personnel serving at discipline operations.
Defending probably the most weak
The Secretary-Basic mentioned that he’s pleased with the work of UN’s peacekeepers amid the “nice and rising challenges” they face, similar to rising political tensions, deteriorating safety conditions, threats from terrorist assaults, and violence fueled by the surge in misinformation and disinformation.
“They work tirelessly within the hardest of situations,” he mentioned. “They adapt to quickly evolving conditions on the bottom. And so they continuously innovate to guard probably the most weak – whereas representing our numerous international neighborhood. They advance the best mission of all — peace.”
Paying the very best value
Nonetheless, he famous that tragically, generally peacekeepers don’t come residence, earlier than acknowledging the lack of Captain Abdelrazakh Hamit Bahar of Chad, who this week obtained UN Peacekeeping’s highest award.
Captain Abdelrazakh, 34, died in a daring counterattack towards armed terrorists in northeast Mali in April 2021.
His household has been introduced the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Distinctive Braveness, named in honour of a Senegalese peacekeeper who saved a whole lot of lives whereas serving with the UN in Rwanda in 1994, earlier than being killed in motion.
“Please know that your beloved son and brother will at all times be remembered. He’s an inspiration to the UN household, at residence in Chad, and around the globe,” mentioned Mr. Guterres.
Gratitude and commendation
The Secretary-Basic additionally expressed gratitude to the Authorities of Chad for its contribution to the UN Mission in Mali, recognized by the French acronym MINUSMA. The nation has paid a terrific value, he mentioned, noting that 74 of its peacekeepers had given their lives over time.
The UN chief additionally awarded a Letter of Commendation to Lieutenant-Colonel Chahata Ali Mahamat, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Captain Abdelrazakh and helped to evacuate 16 wounded colleagues.
Letters of Commendation have been additionally conferred on two different blue helmets: Sergeant Cristofer Jose Citan Ramos of Guatemala from MONUSCO, the UN Mission within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Captain Mohammad Mahatab Uddin of Bangladesh, serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Gender advocate honoured
Main Winnet Zharare of Zimbabwe was additionally introduced the Navy Gender Advocate of the 12 months Award.
The previous army observer, who has accomplished her task at UNMISS, was a powerful champion for gender equality and the popularity of ladies as decision-makers and leaders.
Main Zharare known as for parity inside her personal ranks, and amongst native army forces and host communities, the UN chief mentioned.
“In South Sudan, her diligence and diplomatic expertise shortly gained the belief of native army commanders who sought her recommendation on ladies’s rights and safety. Her strategy helped UNMISS strengthen bonds with native communities and ship on its mandate.”
Mr. Guterres used the chance to spotlight how ladies peacekeepers make a profound distinction. Not solely do they assist the UN do its job extra inclusively and successfully, additionally they save – and alter – lives.
“That’s the reason we’re continuously striving to extend the variety of ladies in peace operations – whether or not army, police or civilian – and attain gender parity all over the place,” the UN chief mentioned.
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