“Italy is at the forefront of international peacekeeping and security also through its expert participation in UN-led peacekeeping operations”. These were the words of Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, on the occasion of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. “We are the first supplier of Blue Helmets among Western countries and the seventh contributor to the budget of UN peacekeeping operations”, stressed the Deputy Prime Minister, “besides hosting in Brindisi the UN Global Service Centre, a unique structure in the world that provides support to UN peacekeeping missions”.
The International Day of UN Peacekeepers, established in 2003 by the UN General Assembly, pays tribute to all the men and women who have served and are serving in UN peacekeeping operations, and in particular to those who have lost their lives in the seventy-five year history of UN peacekeeping operations.
On today’s anniversary, Italy honours the memory of the fallen and pays tribute to the professionalism, dedication, courage and spirit of sacrifice of Italian military and civilian personnel who have been engaged in UN peacekeeping missions.