On 29 May, MINURSO celebrated the International Day of Peacekeepers by organizing a ceremony at the Parade Ground of Mission Headquarters in Laayoune.

The Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of MINURSO Alexander Ivanko presided over the ceremony, which included a military parade in the presence of MINURSO leadership, civilian and military staff.

SRSG read the message of the UN Secretary-General on the occasion, paying tribute to more than 76,000 UN peacekeepers deployed by the UN across the world and “who embody humanity’s highest ideal: peace.”

A minute of silence was observed honoring peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace under the UN flag.

The SRSG deposed a wreath at the monument of MINURSO peacekeepers.