Secretary General Guterres handed over the medal awarded to Rai to Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Lok Bahadur Thapa, in a program held at the United Nations Headquarters today on the occasion of the International Day of Peacekeeping Forces.
On that occasion, while discussing the courage, commitment and sacrifice of Rai who passed away in the line of duty, the Secretary General expressed his belief that he will continue to be an inspiration for all those who are engaged in peace establishment. Rai died on October 13 in Congo.
In 1948, the decision was made to deploy military observers in the Middle East to monitor the implementation of the Israel-Arab Armistice Agreement, and 30 May is celebrated as the International Day of Peacekeepers.
Nepal is one of the countries that deploys the most troops in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. More than 6,000 Nepalese have been deployed in the peacekeeping force.
The United Nations has been deploying Nepalese peacekeeping forces in Abyei, Central African Republic of Congo, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya. Nepali peacekeeping force is also deployed in Eastern Somalia, South Sudan, Western Sahara and Yemen. The government of Nepal has been deploying the security personnel of the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police as peacekeepers.