Celebrating 76 Years of UN Peacekeeping

By Katja Kuivanen, Communications Officer, RSCE

On May 29, the world comes together to honor the brave men and women who serve as United Nations peacekeepers. The International Day of UN Peacekeepers is a tribute to the dedication, professionalism, and courage of those who work tirelessly to bring peace to some of the world’s most volatile regions.

A Legacy of Peacekeeping

For 76 years, United Nations Peacekeepers have worked to save and change lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. Since 1948, more than two million uniformed and civilian personnel have helped countries to transition from war to peace. Today, more than 70,000 peacekeepers serve in 11 missions deployed in hotspots around the world. They come from diverse backgrounds, representing various countries and cultures, united by a common goal: to promote peace and stability.

“Fit for the future, building better together”

Observed under the theme “Fit for the future, building better together,” this year’s International Day looked at the invaluable contributions military, police and civilian peacekeepers have made over the last seven decades. It encapsulated the spirit of progress and collective action towards creating a more equal, just and sustainable world. Watch this video to learn more.

How RSCE is Contributing

The RSCE is the largest Service Centre in the UN Secretariat serving over 16,000 personnel in UN peacekeeping missions and small political offices in Africa. The RSCE is proud to play a role in supporting peace in Africa by providing administrative, logistical and IT support functions to peacekeeping missions, relieving their pressure to allow them focus on their important mandate.

The RSCE also facilitates trainings at the Regional Training and Conference Centre for the missions, ensuring they keep abreast with the latest technologies and trends through UN C4ISR Academy for Peace Operations (UNCAP), Peacekeeping Intelligence Academy and the recent Virtual Instructor Led Training facility. We are proud to serve those that lay everything on the line to ensure that all peoples are safe and secure.

Looking Ahead

Over the years, peacekeeping has evolved to adapt to the changing political landscape and nature of conflicts which have become more complex and interconnected. With support from UN member countries, it continues to advance the path set forth in the UN Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace which calls for a more robust, holistic and collective response to the security threats of today and tomorrow.