The journey of "sowing seeds of peace"

After nearly 80 years of formation and development, the United Nations peacekeeping force has made a significant mark in the effort to build a better world. However, the multifaceted impacts of funding shortfalls, geopolitical tensions, and declining troop numbers are posing serious challenges to this force.

Vietnamese peacekeeping forces in South Sudan present gifts to local people.

In his message for the 2026 International Day of United Nations Peacekeeping Forces (May 29), UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres honored the immense contributions and silent sacrifices of soldiers in maintaining peace, stability, and security around the world .

From the first mission deployed in 1948 to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors, nearly 71 peacekeeping operations have been deployed worldwide over the past 80 years. The image of "blue beret" soldiers is no longer unfamiliar in most hotspots around the world, especially in Africa and the Middle East.

Under the United Nations flag, millions of soldiers from more than 120 countries accept life far from home with extremely limited infrastructure, plunging into dangerous areas around the world where the sound of gunfire never ceases and people still live in fear of violence and conflict.

The contribution of peacekeeping forces extends beyond preventing conflict; it also helps countries build foundations for long-term stability and recover from the ashes of war. The presence of "blue beret" forces ensures a favorable security environment for political transitions and supports fledgling state institutions.

However, with the increasing complexity of global conflicts, attacks on peacekeeping forces have also increased. According to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, peacekeeping missions operate in complex and dangerous environments, facing threats from numerous armed organizations, criminal groups, and terrorists. Nearly 4,500 soldiers have died in the line of duty. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of these forces is at risk of weakening due to limited resources, declining personnel, and a complex security and geopolitical environment.

A report recently published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals that the United Nations is facing significant personnel cuts after several countries failed to fully and promptly fulfill their financial contribution obligations. By 2025, the total number of personnel involved in international peacekeeping operations is projected to fall to its lowest level in 25 years.

The UN Secretary-General emphasized that there is a significant disparity between assigned tasks and available resources, leaving many missions operating under conditions lacking the necessary personnel, equipment, and resources. Furthermore, due to disagreements among the permanent members of the UN Security Council, some missions have had to end their mandates even though security in the area has not been guaranteed.

The scaling back of UN peacekeeping operations could create a serious security vacuum in hotspots, leading to escalating conflicts. Jair van der Lijn, Director of the Conflict Management and Peace Operations Program at SIPRI, warns that if peacekeeping operations continue to decline, the inevitable consequence will be more frequent crises, causing devastating impacts on innocent civilians.

For nearly 80 years, the "blue beret" soldiers have steadfastly walked the path of "sowing seeds of peace," providing opportunities for many people to escape the flames of conflict and build new lives. With the theme "Investing in Peace," the 2026 International Day of United Nations Peacekeeping Forces sends a message calling on the world to ensure adequate resources so that peacekeeping forces can fulfill their noble mission.

NGUYEN HA

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hanh-trinh-gieo-hat-hoa-binh-post965158.html