On 30 May the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in Buenos Aires organized a ceremony to mark International Day of UN Peacekeepers and the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping.

The UNIC Director inaugurated the event and briefed participants on the purpose of the observance. He also paid tribute to peacekeepers who died in the line of duty. The documentary “In the Cause of Peace” was screened. Argentina's Defense Minister spoke about “Argentina and the UN Peace Missions” and noted the country celebrated 50 years as a troop contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. The UNIC prepared a package of information materials for distribution among the participants and an exhibit on peacekeeping operations.

To mark the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping, the Centre for UN Peacekeeping and the UN Information Centre (UNIC) in New Delhi organized a cultural event at the Indian Army’s Camp in Khanpur on 29 May 2008, the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. The UNIC Director was the guest of honour at the event which was attended by over 500 former and future UN peacekeepers.

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers was observed in Geneva by a ceremony and a round-table discussion jointly organized by the UN Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva and the International Association of Soldiers for Peace (AISP), an NGO which is based in Lyon, France. The commemoration at the Palais des Nations paid tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations, to thank them for their professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace.

As this year's celebrations also coincided with the sixtieth anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping missions, the events were also an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past 60 years, as well as to raise some of the current peacekeeping challenges and highlight the ever-growing demand for United Nations peacekeeping operations. Following the wreath-laying ceremony, a UN film, "In the Cause of Peace", was shown, which documented the course of 60 years of UN peacekeeping and raised some of the challenges ahead.

"The Blue Helmets sum up what the United Nations is all about: bringing peace and security to war-torn societies and helping people to live in stability and dignity" the Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva said in opening remarks at the round table discussion following the film. He highlighted that United Nations peacekeeping was in higher demand than ever before: In the first 40 years of peacekeeping, only 13 operations were deployed, whereas 50 operations had been put on the ground over the past 20 years. "This reflects the trust that the international community places in the United Nations' ability to deliver peace and stability" the Director-General said. However, effective peacekeeping required adequate funding, and it was noted that, although the current budget for peacekeeping stood at an all-time high of almost $7 billion, that was still less than half a per cent of global military expenditure. In conclusion, the Director-General remarked that strengthening United Nations peacekeeping capabilities was "the most appropriate way to honour those colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty".

On 29 May 2008, the UN Office (UNO) in Kyiv and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine organized a series of events to observe the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. In addition to a wreath laying ceremony and a press breakfast for journalists, a photo exhibition entitled "Ukraine - Peacemaking State" was launched by the UN and Ukrainian officials. The UN Resident Coordinator addressed the Ukrainian peacekeepers, veterans, journalists and other participants of the ceremony and the Minister of Defense presented government awards to Ukrainian peacekeepers and other servicemen.

More details on the International Day of UN Peackeepers in Ukraine: http://www.un.org.ua/en/news/2008-05-29/ ; http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua