80,000 UN Peacekeepers to Be Honoured for Service
New York, May 26 2005 4:00PM
The 80,000 United Nations peacekeepers currently serving around the world, along with their 115 comrades who lost their
lives in the course of duty in 2004, will be honoured by ceremonies tomorrow at UN Headquarters in New York to mark the
International Day of UN Peacekeepers.
The fallen peacekeepers, from 39 countries, will be awarded posthumous medals in a ceremony to be held in the Dag
Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium.
Friday afternoon there is scheduled a medal parade, during which the military and civilian police officers seconded for
service within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations will receive UN service medals. The parade will take place on
the promenade outside the visitors' entrance at 46th St. and First Avenue.
In his message to mark the day, which is observed on 29 May, Secretary-General Kofi Annan will thank the 103 Member
States who currently contribute uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
ENDS