On 29 May, MINURSO celebrated the International Day of UN Peacekeepers by holding a ceremony at the parade grounds of the Mission's Headquarters in Laayoune.

The Force Commander, Major General Md Fakhrul Ahsan, presided over the ceremony, which was attended by MINURSO civilian and military staff. General Ahsan read the Secretary-General's message for this year’s celebration, which marked the 77th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping. In his message, the Secretary-General stressed that "now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations -- and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges."

General Md Fakhrul Ahsan laid a wreath of flowers at the monument of MINURSO peacekeepers fallen for the noble cause of peace, and one-minute silence was observed for fallen peacekeepers.

In 2003, General Assembly resolution 57/129 designated 29 May as the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. This was the day on which, in 1948, the first UN peacekeeping mission, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) was established. 

For photos of the ceremony, please visit MINURSO Flikr.