50 Years Of Nepalese Support For UN Peacekeeping

Ban pays tribute to 50 years of Nepalese contributions to UN peacekeeping

12 June 2008 - Fifty years after Nepal first sent peacekeepers to serve in United Nations operations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today thanked the small Asian country for its continuous contribution since then to UN missions around the world.

Nepal has contributed 60,000 peacekeepers to 40 different missions in the past five decades, Mr. Ban said in a message released to mark the 50th anniversary, noting that the country is one of the five biggest providers of troops or police officers to UN missions.

"Today, Nepal and four other nations of the South together contribute nearly half of the UN's peacekeepers around the world," he said, adding that more than 60 Nepalese peacekeepers have died in service.

Currently more than 110,000 men and women are deployed in conflict zones for the UN, monitoring agreements, maintaining the peace and providing stability, whether in uniform or as civilian staff.

"They train police, disarm ex-combatants, support elections and help build State institutions. They build bridges, repair schools, assist flood victims and protect women from sexual violence," Mr. Ban said.

"They uphold human rights and promote gender equality. Thanks to their efforts, life-saving humanitarian assistance can be delivered and economic development can begin."

ENDS

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