The Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations held a photographic exhibition entitled, “Tribute to Fallen Peacekeepers & Pakistan’s proactive engagement and constructive contributions to UN peacekeeping,” in commemoration of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
The exhibition was open for display from June 1st to June 9th in the Vienna Cafe of the United Nations Headquarters, with a reception commencing on the final day, hosted by the Pakistan Mission.
The welcoming address was made by the Permanent Representative of the Pakistan Mission Ambassador Munir Akram. Under Secretary General for Peace Operations Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix was the Guest of Honor of the reception.
Ambassador Akram said, “On this occasion I would like to pay the highest tribute to all U.N. peacekeepers and other personnel who lost their lives in the service of the U.N.”
Ambassador Akram also mentioned that over the 6 decade history of the United Nations peacekeepers, 171 peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of international peace and security.
During the last year, eight Pakistani peacekeepers embraced martyrdom in a helicopter crash in the DRC. Ambassador Akram expressed his condolences to the loves ones of the fallen and commended them for their sacrifice.
He also applauded the perseverance of Pakistan's peacekeepers in preserving the values of the UN charter and minting international peace and security.
Under Secretary General for Peace Operations Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix in his remarks paid tribute to Fallen Peacekeepers and acknowledged Pakistan’s support in peace and security.
Other remarks were made by Military Adviser General Birame Diop, and Police Advisor, Faisal Shahkar.
The event was attended by large number of Ambassadors, diplomats , military officials, UN officials, and others.
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 57/129, designated 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This is the date when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission named the "United Nations Truce Supervision Organization", or UNTSO, began operations in Palestine.
Currently Pakistani peacekeepers execute multidimensional mandates: from protection of civilians to humanitarian assistance to infrastructure development. By building roads, bridges and public parks, they continue to serve and facilitate some of the most vulnerable communities of the world.
Female peacekeepers serve as doctors, nurses, gender advisors and vocational training officers but also as operations and logistics officers. In 2019, Pakistan deployed its first all- female community engagement team in Democratic Republic of Congo. They implemented several successful initiatives including vocational trainings for students, teachers and women and psychological workshops for Congolese police.
More than 200,000 Pakistani men and women have served in 46 UN Missions across the world. While serving the UN flag, 171 of our bravest lost their lives. Their ultimate sacrifice reflects the highest level of commitment to the UN Charter and its call to save the world from the scourge of war.
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