29 May, 2008. Kyiv-New York. Today the International Day of UN Peacekeepers is observed worldwide to pay tribute to people serving in peacekeeping operations and to honour memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. This year we also marks the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping. 60 years ago the Security Council authorized the deployment of the first UN peacekeeping mission.
The UN Secretary-General addressing the world community this day has underlined that the peacekeeping has developed into a flagship enterprise of the Organization. "And today, we have more than 110,000 men and women deployed in conflict zones around the world. They come from nearly 120 countries -- an all-time high, reflecting confidence in United Nations peacekeeping”, Ban Ki-moon said.
In Ukraine, a series of events to commemorate the International Day of UN Peacekeepers were organized by the Ministry of Defense and supported by the United Nations office in Ukraine including the wreath-laying ceremony, the press-breakfast for journalists, the photo exhibition and the awarding ceremony.
In Kyiv, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuriy Yehanurov and UN Resident Coordinator Francis O’Donnell together with peacekeepers and journalists have launched the photo exhibition “Ukraine – Peacemaking State”.
Opening the event Minister Yehanurov stated that since 1992 about 30 000 Ukrainian military men served their honorable peacekeeping mission in conflict zones worldwide strengthening the image of Ukraine as a known peacemaking state at the international level. “It is very symbolic that this photo exhibition is opened on the International Day of UN Peacekeepers”.
Addressing the participants UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Francis O’Donnell emphasized that the Ukrainian peacekeepers are known worldwide as professionals meeting the highest standards. “The contribution to peacekeeping and stability in the conflict zones by the Ukrainian peacekeepers is highly appreciated by the United Nations. These people deserve honor and our full respect”, said Francis O’Donnell.
The author of this photo exhibition is Oleksandr Klymenko, the photo correspondent of the national newspaper “Holos Ukrainy”. During his statement he has appreciated the Ministry of Defense for an opportunity to visit countries where the Ukrainian peacekeepers serve and to tell to the audience a story of one peacekeeper life. Personally, he thanked Yuriy Yehanurov and Francis O’Donnell for supporting his initiative on conducting this photo exhibition.
Later this day the ceremony to honor and to award the Ukrainian peacekeepers and other servicemen took place in the Central House of Officers of Ukraine. The participants of the event included Minister of Defense of Ukraine Yuriy Yehanurov, UN Resident Coordinator Francis O’Donnell, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Genadiy Handogiy, First Deputy of General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine colonel-general Mykola Tsytsyursky, servicemen, acting peacekeepers and veterans of peacekeeping missions.
In New York this day the United Nations officials commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of peacekeeping by gathering at the world body’s headquarters for a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the more than 2,400 blue helmets – including 90 last year – who have died in service.
The background note on the current UN peacekeeping operations as of 30 April 2008.
Photo by the press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Minister Yuriy Yehanurov (left) gives awards during the ceremony devoted to the International Day of the UN Peacekeepers
To see more photos highlighting the observance of the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping and Ukraine's participation in UN peacekeeping operations, please visit our photogellery.
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Note to Editors:
The Day, which is the exact anniversary of the date in 1948 when the Security Council established the first UN peacekeeping operation, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), has been marked by the UN since a General Assembly proclamation in 2002 supporting the Ukraine's initiative.
This year’s anniversary falls at a time of particularly high demand for UN peacekeeping – currently more than 110,000 men and women are deployed in conflict zones worldwide. The uniformed personnel hail from about 120 different countries, an all-time record.
Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nigeria and Nepal are the largest contributors of peacekeepers, together accounting for more than 40 per cent of all blue helmets. The biggest financial contributors are the European Union countries, Japan and the United States, and the total budget is now over $6.5 billion a year.
To learn more about UN peacekeeping operations: http://www.un.org/events/peacekeeping60/
29.05.08
