On this year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers, UNMIK reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to promoting peace in Kosovo and beyond, with a renewed focus on trust-building, gender equality, and inclusive leadership. This year’s theme, “The Future of Peacekeeping,” highlights the evolving role of peacekeepers, from traditionally conceptualized engagement of uniformed forces to increasingly civilian-led efforts focused on bridging divides among communities.

In Kosovo, UNMIK has reached an advanced stage in supporting community dialogue and initiatives across key areas such as the rule of law, human rights, and community support. Central to these efforts is building trust and empowering women and youth through the Women, Peace and Security, and Youth, Peace and Security agendas.

Over the past year alone, UNMIK supported 36 programmatic activities and 23 community trust-building projects. These initiatives highlight the Mission’s dedication to inclusive, sustainable peace by supporting vulnerable groups and fostering social cohesion, demonstrating how peace is strengthened when diverse voices, especially those of women and youth, are actively engaged in dialogue and decision-making.

As part of the lead-up to the annual Global Open Day on WPS, UNMIK hosted a preparatory event in mid-May, spotlighting women’s political and economic leadership and youth participation. The event aimed to further advance these critical goals.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Caroline Ziadeh, emphasized the urgency and shared responsibility of this work: “We must listen, invest, and act, always with purpose, and with urgency. We gather not only to reaffirm our commitment to women’s rights, but to move forward, resilient, united, and unwavering.”

Inclusivity remained a central theme throughout the event. Kosovo’s Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Emilija Redzepi, stressed that “no woman should be left behind,” while Sanija Murati, Head of the NGO Lady, drew a powerful connection between peace and economic opportunity: “Economic empowerment is as important as peace itself.”

At UN Headquarters, the Day of Peacekeepers was observed with formal remembrance. The message was clear: peacekeeping today is about more than presence; it is about purpose and deliberate efforts to build inclusive societies and institutions capable of managing difference without violence. UNMIK’s military and police officers also honored those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and stood in solidarity with those continuing vital peacekeeping missions.

“Let us stand together in gratitude and commitment. Let us support all peacekeepers who continue delivering hope and protection where it is needed most,” said SRSG Ziadeh during the ceremony.