RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The United Nations (UN) has posthumously awarded the prestigious Dag Hammarskjöld Medal to two Indonesian peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving in 2025.

The honor was conferred during the International Day of UN Peacekeepers ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, June 5, 2026. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres presented the medals to Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Umar Hadi, accompanied by Military Adviser Brigadier General Robertus Subono.

“The sacrifice of our personnel is proof of Indonesia’s unwavering dedication to peace,” the Indonesian Mission to the UN in New York stated, as quoted by Antara.

According to the UN Information Centre (UNIC) Indonesia, this year’s Dag Hammarskjöld Medal was awarded posthumously to 68 peacekeepers worldwide, including the two Indonesians. The recognition honors military, police, and civilian personnel who gave their lives in service to global peace.

Indonesia remains one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, currently ranking sixth with nearly 2,000 military and police personnel deployed, including 156 women, across 11 missions in conflict zones.

The UN ceremony also highlighted Indonesia’s role as a steadfast partner in peace operations. Singapore, Bangladesh, and other major contributors joined in honoring the fallen, underscoring the collective sacrifice of peacekeepers from 118 countries.

Looking ahead, four more Indonesian peacekeepers who died while serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) amid the Israel–Hezbollah conflict earlier this year will be awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal in 2027.

This recognition not only commemorates the bravery of Indonesia’s fallen peacekeepers but also reinforces the country’s commitment to global peace and security. ***