Today is the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders pays tribute to the UN Peacekeepers for the important work they are doing in many conflict zones today.

More than 110.000 men and women worldwide are committed to make the UN peace missions work. The UN missions are becoming ever more complex and dangerous, and  require from the Peacekeepers a high level of professionalism, dedication, integrity and courage. On this special day, Didier Reynders also honors the memory of all UN Peacekeepers who lost their lives during the operations.

The new security challenges in the world call for an appropriate response with effective means. At the initiative of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, a comprehensive assessment of the functioning, the needs and possible adjustments of UN peace operations will be completed before the end of this year. Belgium actively participates in this review.

Our country is a candidate for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period 2019-2020 and promotes a forceful approach by the United Nations of the conflicts that endanger our peace and security. In this approach, the UN Peacekeepers continue to play an essential role.