Today marks the 75th anniversary of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, a day dedicated to honouring the courageous men and women who have served and continue to serve in UN peacekeeping missions.
These individuals are recognised for their exceptional professionalism, unwavering dedication, and selfless commitment to maintaining peace worldwide.
President Hage Geingob acknowledges the significant role played by UN peacekeeping personnel in safeguarding the peace that Namibia currently enjoys.
In 1978, a Settlement Proposal was put forth, and it was agreed upon and set in motion by the then Secretary-General, Kurt Waldheim.
As a result, the United Nations Transitional Assistance Group (UNTAG) was deployed to Namibia in 1989, comprising more than 8,000 personnel.
The primary goal of UNTAG, which included contributions from more than 120 countries, was to establish the necessary conditions for conducting free and fair elections. Under the guidance of the UN Special Representative, the participating political parties at that time were provided leadership and support in this process.
UNTAG successfully achieved its objective of facilitating the transition of Namibia to an independent state.
President Geingob expressed his gratitude to the UN Peacekeepers for their selfless sacrifices and instrumental role in shaping an independent Namibia.
Dr. Geingob emphasised that Namibia owes its existence as an independent nation to international solidarity, with the UN playing a crucial role in supporting the struggle for self-determination.
Namibia is now recognised as one of the most peaceful democracies, serving as a testament to the success of UN peacekeeping efforts.
As of 2022, Namibia has ascended seven places and is ranked as the 43rd most peaceful country out of 186 nations.
President Geingob joined UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the entire UN family in honouring the blue helmets of UN Peacekeeping for their remarkable 75 years of service in promoting global peace and humanity.
Their dedication and commitment to peace have left a lasting impact worldwide.