June 5, 2026 | 11:55 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres laid a wreath at the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on the north lawn of UN Headquarters in New York City on Friday to honor the thousands of peacekeepers who have died while serving under the UN flag over the past seven decades."Moments ago, I laid a wreath to commemorate the nearly 4,500 people who have lost their lives since the United Nations began its peacekeeping work almost 80 years ago.""Unfortunately, as events of this very week remind us, peacekeepers continue to face peril in the cause of peace – and we pay the highest tribute to their service and sacrifice," Guterres said, as quoted by ANTARA.This commemoration follows the recent celebration of the United Nations International Day of Peacekeepers. This day recognizes the dedication and devotion of peacekeepers serving in various regions of the world.Guterres highlighted the crucial role of UN peacekeeping operations, which continue to be played in some of the world's most challenging regions."Across the globe, the UN Blue Helmet is a symbol of hope for communities in their darkest hour. UN Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the international community’s most effective responses to conflict," he said.Guterres stated that more than 50,000 peacekeepers are currently serving in various missions around the world. They are responsible for protecting civilians, reducing violence, supporting political processes, assisting with elections, facilitating the distribution of humanitarian aid, and assisting in landmine clearance.The UN Secretary-General described peacekeepers as “protectors of vulnerable groups” and “guardians of hope” in regions plagued by conflict and instability. He also expressed his appreciation to all personnel currently serving under the UN flag and reaffirmed the organization's support for their mission."I am endlessly inspired by the women and men who wear the UN Blue Helmet. They are protectors of the vulnerable, and guardians of hope in places where hope is often in short supply," Guterres said.He once again expressed his gratitude to the personnel currently serving under the UN flag, emphasizing the organization's commitment to continuing to support their mission.Read: UN Doubles Lebanon Aid Appeal amid Israel WarClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News