UN Commemorates Its Fallen Peacekeepers

Joined NATIONS, May 27 (Xinhua) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday laid a wreath to respect in excess of 4,000 UN peacekeepers who lost their lives since 1948, and directed a virtual function at which the Dag Hammarskjold Medal was granted post mortem to 129 peacekeepers, who lost their lives in 2020 and in the principal month of 2021. 

Thursday's occasions framed the yearly recognition of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, which falls on May 29. 

"Our fallen peacekeepers, formally dressed and non military personnel, lost their lives because of noxious demonstrations, in mishaps and because of sickness, including COVID-19. They came from 44 unique nations and assorted foundations however were joined by a typical reason: to serve our extraordinary association, advance harmony and security and improve the existences of a portion of the world's most weak individuals," he told the Dag Hammarskjold Medal function to pay tribute to the 129 fallen peacekeepers. 

"We are everlastingly in their obligation. I give my true sympathies to their families and companions and I trust that the awards introduced today offer some solace. Their definitive penance won't be neglected, and they will consistently be in our souls." 

The difficulties and dangers looked by UN peacekeepers are enormous. They buckle down each day to ensure a portion of the world's generally helpless, while confronting the double dangers of viciousness and a worldwide pandemic, he said. 

Regardless of COVID-19, across all UN peacekeeping missions, the blue head protectors have not exclusively been adjusting to keep on conveying their center assignments, they are likewise helping public and local area endeavors to battle the infection, he said. "I'm glad for the work they have done." 

"We salute the commitment and valiance of every one of our peacekeepers - ladies and men, the youthful and the somewhat more established - and we stay appreciative for their administration and penance. They merit our full help, and we should keep on cooperating to do all that we can to improve their wellbeing and security and give them the devices to succeed," said Guterres. 

Among the 129 Dag Hammarskjold Medal champs were two Chinese blue head protectors: Chen Shun and Wang Xudong. 

Chen presented with the UN-African Union Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) and Wang with the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. 

"Continuously be a developer of world harmony is China's serious obligation to the world," said Zhang Jun, China's perpetual agent to the United Nations, who got the decorations for Chen and Wang's sake. 

Since 1990, China has dispatched more than 40,000 peacekeepers to UN peacekeeping missions. Sixteen military officials and eight cops have lost their lives, he said. "It completely shows that China, as a capable significant nation, is harmony adoring, effectively partakes in the UN harmony issues, and has regarded its grave obligation to keeping up world harmony." 

Remaining at another recorded beginning stage, China will maintain the idea of a local area of shared future for humanity and keep on adding to the support of world harmony, said Zhang. 

At the function, Major Steplyne Nyaboga, a Kenyan military official who presented with UNAMID, was granted the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award for 2020.