This Wednesday, 23 May 2018, was International Peacekeepers' Day in the United Kingdom in London. Peacekeepers have been serving people around the world for 70 years. On 23 May, the United Nations Association in the United Kingdom (UNA-UK), the UN Veterans Association, ambassadors, military personnel and schools came together to remember peacekeeping operations around the world and the soldiers who have lost their lives in them.

There are more than 110,000 UN troops who have served around the world in peacekeeping. In the UK, 104 peacekeepers have lost their lives while helping people. On this day of remembrance in London, we remember the first peacekeeping mission in 1948 when the Blue Helmets intervened in Palestine.

The UK is one of the historic contributors of Blue Helmets to UN peacekeeping operations. 670 British troops are involved in peacekeeping across 7 UN missions.

Cenotaph
Commemoration in front of the Cenotaph, the official war memorial in London, on 23 May 2018.
This commemorative day was held in London with members of the International Peacekeepers Association AISP/SPIA and in the company of Mr. Paul COPELAND, Vice President Oceania AISP/SPIA and Mr. Tibor ALBERT Vice President Western Europe AISP/SPIA. During this event, wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph, the official war memorial located in the Whitehall area of London.

We will remember the soldiers who died for peace and their contribution to the service of people since 1948. This day is not only a day of remembrance, it is a day to bring people together around the concept of peace that has been so much sought after over the years.