2026 International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers

Today, May 29, the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities joins the international community in observing the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. This year’s commemoration is held under the theme “Invest in Peace,” highlighting the urgent need to ensure that peacekeepers have the resources and support necessary to carry out their vital mandates in increasingly complex global contexts.

For nearly 80 years, United Nations peacekeepers have delivered tangible change to communities across the globe. From Liberia and Namibia to Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste, peacekeeping missions have played a life-saving and transformative role in some of the world’s most volatile political and security environments, helping countries transition from conflict toward sustainable peace.

Today, more than 53,000 civilian, military, and police personnel serve in 11 UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, confronting increasingly interconnected challenges shaped by a shifting geopolitical landscape. In an era marked by rising tensions and instability, peacekeeping remains a proven and cost-effective tool for restoring stability, protecting civilians, and fostering hope.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002, the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers honors the dedication, service, and sacrifice of all those who have served under the UN flag. It also commemorates the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the pursuit of peace, including 59 in 2025 alone.

The Auschwitz Institute honors the extraordinary service of peacekeepers—past and present—and reaffirms its commitment to multilateral cooperation, civilian protection, and the prevention of violent conflict and mass atrocities. As threats to global peace and security continue to evolve, investing in peacekeeping remains essential to advancing international solidarity, resilience, and human dignity.