UN Peacekeepers Day 2026 - Press Conference | United Nations

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UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said “The work of our peacekeepers matters. It is worth defending. Peacekeeping is worth the investment.” Addressing the press on the occasion of the celebration of the International Day of UN Peacekeepers, Lacroix said, “At this moment, UN peacekeeping's entire budget, which is 5.38 billion dollars - that's the budget for one year. The same amount is spent in 16 hours - one six - on global military spending, so it's not even a full day. And if you want another measure, the budget of peacekeeping for one year for all operations is less than half the amount it costs to organize the upcoming FIFA World Cup.” He continued, “It's a fact that the cost of supporting peacekeeping is far lower than the cost of responding when conflict spirals out of control, and therefore I call on this International Day of Peacekeeping is clear: Let us invest in peace. We need the political and financial backing of member states. We need parties to conflict to uphold international humanitarian law and the UN Charter. We need the support from all those who can hold their governments accountable for their actions.” He stated, “Peace does not happen by accident. It requires political will, sustained support, and investment.” Answering a question, he said, “UNIFIL - and whatever may come next, if anything - it's about supporting. It's about supporting Lebanese people; it's about supporting political efforts. This is really what peacekeeping is about, and that applies also to Lebanon.” Addressing the press virtually from Goma, Sergeant Matías Reyes, who serves at the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) spoke about his experience in January 2025, when he rescued wounded Congolese soldiers seeking refuge at a MONUSCO base. He said, “Dozens of soldiers of the FARDC who have been wounded sought refuge and medical assistance. When I saw them in that situation I acted immediately. I carried on my shoulders 12 of