United Nations General Assembly A/RES/57/129 Distr.: General 24 February 2003 Fifty-seventh session Agenda item 78 Resolution adopted by the General Assembly [on the report of the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) (A/57/522)] 57/129. International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers The General Assembly, Reaffirming that peacekeeping continues to be among the key instruments available to the United Nations in discharging its responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, Recognizing the invaluable contribution to the promotion of peace and security of all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and recalling in this regard the awarding of the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize to United Nations peacekeeping forces, Recognizing also the sacrifice of all the men and women who lost their lives in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and recalling in this regard the establishment by the Security Council of the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal, Bearing in mind that the Security Council, by its resolution 50 (1948) of 29 May 1948, authorized the establishment of the first United Nations peacekeeping operation, and recognizing that 2003 marks the fifty-fifth anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping, Recalling its resolution 56/225 B of 22 May 2002, in which, inter alia, it endorsed the proposals, recommendations and conclusions contained in the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, 1 including its recommendation that 29 May be designated the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, 1. Decides to designate 29 May as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, to be observed annually to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace; 2. Invites all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in an appropriate manner; _______________ 1 02 54636 A/56/863.