United Nations Radio

The UN General Assembly today marked the 60th anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping operations around the world.

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Asha Rose Migiro recalled that sixty years ago the Security Council deployed the first mission to the Middle East to supervise a ceasefire between the new state of Israel and its neigbhours.

Since then, peacekeeping has evolved into one of the cornerstones of diplomacy.

Asha Rose Migiro noted that today there are more than 100,000 peacekeepers deployed in 18 missions across the globe.

She said peacekeeping operations have also had to evolve to meet the changing nature of conflict.

"Beyond monitoring ceasefires, today's peacekeepers have wide ranging mandates. They help post-conflict societies to rebuild. They nurture democratic governance. They protect civilians, disarm ex-combatants, supervise elections and strengthen institutions."

The UN Deputy Secretary-General said the evolution of peacekeeping has not come without cost.

Diane Bailey, United Nations

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