Press Release.............................. UNESCAP News Services

Date 26 May 2004
Press Release No: N/17/2004

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS TO BE OBSERVED AS DEMANDS FOR NEW PEACE OPERATIONS SURGE

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) -- The second observance of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on 29 May comes at a moment of increased demands around the world for United Nations peacekeepers.

Currently, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) is fielding 15 missions on three continents and is in the process of deploying new missions to Haiti and Burundi while planning a large operation for the Sudan.

More than 53,000 men and women serve as peacekeepers today: 49,000 troops and military observers; 4,800 civilian police; 3,500 international civilians; 7,200 local civilians; and some 1,440 United Nations Volunteers. The number of uniformed personnel could reach 70,000 by the end of the year.

Of these, 81 per cent are serving in Africa where the majority of today's United Nations peacekeeping takes place. New operations in both Liberia and C?te d'Ivoire were deployed during the past year.

When all missions currently planned are deployed, the annual United Nations peacekeeping bill could rise to more than $4 billion.

"Even with these new operations, the cost of peacekeeping will still be less than one half of 1 per cent of the world's combined military spending", said Under-Secretary-General Jean Marie Gu?henno, head of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. "Another way of looking at it is that the cost of all UN peacekeeping combined is minimal when you consider that civil wars cost $120 billion annually."

"Most importantly, UN peacekeeping helps millions of people each year regain the security and stability they need to begin leading normal, productive lives again.

"Either way, as a financial, political or humanitarian investment by Member States, UN peacekeeping delivers a huge return, both for the countries assisted and for the whole world."

The annual observance of a day honouring United Nations peacekeepers was established by the General Assembly in 2002. The Day is intended to pay tribute "to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations, as well as to honour the memory of those who lost their lives in the cause of peace".

With fewer wars beginning and many more ending, the demands of those conflicts that are winding down are stretching the United Nations peacekeeping capacities. The DPKO is undertaking a series of efforts to meet the new challenges, including forging partnerships with such regional organizations as the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The United Nations is also seeking troops, civilian police and specialized support services from both developing and developed countries. And the DPKO is undertaking worldwide efforts to finding specialized civilian staff for the new missions.

Currently, the top five troop-contributing countries are Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, India and Ghana. They constitute 43 per cent of the total number of uniformed United Nations personnel.

To mark the Day, an observance will be organized by the United Nations in Bangkok on Friday, 28 May at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC). The observance will be presided by Privy Councillor H.E. General Surayud Chulanont at 8.45 a.m. General Winai Phattiyakul, Secretary-General, National Security Council of Thailand will deliver keynote address followed by a panel discussion on "National, Regional and Global Security Issues in the Light of Lessons Learned from UN Peacekeeping Operations" by General Saiyud Kerdpol (Rtd), Col. Surasitt Thnadtang, Director of Policy and Planning, Directorate of Joint Operations and Mr. Peter Leentjes, Centre of Excellence, USA.

Col. Nopadon Mungkalaton, Assistant Director, Peace Operations Centre, H.E. Mir Hussain Bakhsh Bangulzai, Ambassador of Pakistan to Thailand and Pol. Col. Panitan Santiphet of Royal Thai Police will lead the second panel discussion on "Challenges of Peace Keeping and Peace Support in the 21st Century" .

Note to Editors: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the observance of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers from 8:45 am - 12 noon, Friday, 28 May 2004, Conference Room 2, United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC), Rajadamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok.
For further information, please contact the United Nations Information Services Bangkok, Tel: (66) 02 288 1864-9, Fax: (66) 02 288 1052, E-mail: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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