The 78th International Day of UN Peacekeepers

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Major General Sem Ratana, First Vice Chairman of the National Coordination Committee and Acting Director-General of NPMEC; 

Excellencies, Peacekeepers, Distinguished Guests,

On behalf of the United Nations in Cambodia, it is my great honour to join you today to commemorate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces, Mines and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance, for organizing this important event and for its continued leadership in advancing Cambodia’s contribution to international peacekeeping.

Today is an extraordinary occasion.

We gather to mark the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, observed each year on 29 May, and to celebrate a remarkable national milestone—20 years of Cambodia’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

This is a moment of great pride for Cambodia.
Over the past two decades, the country has made an extraordinary journey, from once receiving United Nations support for peace to now actively contributing to peace around the world.  
It is a story of resilience, a strong commitment to multilateralism, and a determination to transform its own experience of recovery and rebuilding into meaningful support for others.

Since 2006, more than 10,000 Cambodian peacekeepers have served under the United Nations flag in missions across ten countries.

 

They have cleared landmines, supported communities affected by conflict, and contributed to stability and recovery—while representing Cambodia with professionalism, discipline, courage, and dignity.

On behalf of the United Nations, I warmly congratulate the Royal Government of Cambodia, the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC), and all Cambodian peacekeepers on this important anniversary.

Cambodia’s consistent and active contribution to UN peacekeeping reflects a strong commitment to global solidarity and responsible international leadership. 

It is recognized and deeply valued by the United Nations.

Excellencies, Peacekeepers, Distinguished Guests,

This year’s theme for the International Day of UN Peacekeepers is “Invest in Peace”—a timely and important message.

As the Secretary-General has emphasized, the United Nations stands at a pivotal moment. Eighty years after its founding on the belief that peace is possible, that vision is under increasing strain.

Around the world, tensions are rising, conflicts are multiplying, and divisions are deepening. 

Civilians are facing heightened risks, while conflicts are becoming more complex, prolonged, and shaped by new challenges, including the misuse of digital tools and the rapid spread of harmful information.

At the same time, United Nations peacekeeping operations are facing growing financial and operational constraints.
Yet peacekeeping remains one of the international community’s most effective tools for responding to conflict and preventing further escalation.

Every day, more than 50,000 civilian, military, and police peacekeepers serve under the UN flag in some of the world’s most challenging environments. They protect civilians, monitor ceasefires, support political processes, and help keep humanitarian lifelines open creating the space for communities to rebuild.

This is why investing in peace matters. 

Peace does not happen by accident; it requires political will, sustained commitment, predictable financing, and strong partnerships among Member States. Investing in peacekeeping is also an investment in prevention.

Early and sustained engagement can reduce the risk of escalation and help avoid far greater human, social, and financial costs in the future.

Cambodia understands the value of peace.
From its own history, it has learned that peace is the foundation for development, human dignity, and hope. 

The country has rebuilt institutions, restored trust, cleared landmines, and supported communities in creating the conditions for a better future.

This experience lends particular meaning to Cambodia’s contribution to UN peacekeeping. 

When Cambodian women and men serve in missions abroad, they bring not only skill and professionalism, but also a lived understanding of recovery, resilience, and the central importance of peace in people’s lives. In doing so, they carry Cambodia’s own journey into the world.

As Cambodia marks 20 years of participation in UN peacekeeping, we celebrate more than numbers or missions. We recognize the values that guide this contribution—solidarity, responsibility, courage, and service.

Excellencies, Peacekeepers, Distinguished Guests,

On this International Day of UN Peacekeepers, we pay tribute to all those who serve under the United Nations flag—military, police, and civilian alike.
We also recognize the families who stand behind them. 

Peacekeeping is not only an individual commitment; it is one shared by families, communities, and the nation as a whole.

While today is a moment of celebration, it is also a time for remembrance. 

With deep respect, we honor those peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the service of peace, including Cambodian personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Their courage is a solemn reminder of the demands of peacekeeping that calls for resilience, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to humanity. 

Their service will not be forgotten.

Peacekeeping remains one of the most visible and enduring expressions of the United Nations. It reflects the strength of international cooperation—countries coming together under one flag to protect lives, prevent violence, and sustain the possibility of peace.

Today, we mark both the International Day of UN Peacekeepers and Cambodia’s 20-year contribution to this shared mission. 

We honor the women and men who have served with distinction, carrying both Cambodia’s flag and the United Nations flag with pride.

And we reaffirm our collective commitment to invest in peace—for Cambodia, for the region, and for the world.

Thank you very much.