UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that 87,000-plus peacekeepers of the United Nations around the world are a beacon of hope and protection for people in an increasingly dangerous world.
He said that 103 peacekeepers, including eight Pakistanis, sacrificed their lives while performing duties last year.
Guterres said that “blue helmets” serving from 125 nations across 12 operations were working to support stability, security, and the rule of law.
Pakistan is presently the fifth largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, with around 4,200 military and police personnel serving in the Central African Republic, Cyprus, Abyei, Mali, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Western Sahara.
UN chief highlights peacekeepers’ problems
He said that peacekeeping had become an inspiring symbol of multilateralism by bringing peacekeepers together. But due to the stagnating peace processes, the increasing complexity of conflict, armed militia, gang violence, the constant beat of terrorist activity, and transnational crime, the communities, nations and entire regions are being increasingly endangered.
The UN chief further said that the digital world had become a frightening frontier of division, hate, tension, and mis and disinformation. Sadly, the UN peacekeepers are working in places where there is no peace to keep. –APP
