KATHMANDU, MAY 28
The United Nations will observe the International Day of UN Peacekeepers on June 5 with tributes to personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty, including two peacekeepers from Nepal.
At the UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres will lay a wreath and preside over a ceremony honouring fallen peacekeepers and awarding the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal posthumously to 68 military, police and civilian personnel who died while serving under UN missions.
Among those being honoured are Corporal Suraj Lamichhane, who died in 2025 while serving in the Central African Republic, and Private Debi Ram Jaisi, who passed away in East Timor in 2000.
The UN said more than 50,000 peacekeepers from 118 countries are currently deployed in 11 missions worldwide, operating in complex and increasingly volatile environments.
Nepal remains the largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, currently deploying more than 4,300 personnel, including 364 women, across missions in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
This year's theme, "Invest in Peace," highlights the importance of sustained political and financial support for peacekeeping operations, which the UN describes as one of the most effective tools for conflict prevention, civilian protection and humanitarian assistance.
In his message, Secretary-General Guterres stressed that attacks on peacekeepers are violations of international humanitarian law and called on member states to ensure their safety while strengthening support for peace operations.
The ceremony will also include awards recognising exceptional service, including the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Courage and annual honours for gender advocacy and police service.