Nepali Army marking 79th UN Day today

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 24: The Nepali Army is marking the 79th United Nations Day (UN Day), established with the goal of promoting peace, unity, friendship, and reconciliation worldwide on Thursday. 

A peace march-pass, a display of cultural bands, various sports including Taekwondo, and a joint band performance will be held in the presence of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as chief guest at the Army Headquarters. 

The teams from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, Nepal will showcase their band display and cultural performance to commemorate the special occasion on Thursday morning.

Brigadier General and Spokesperson for the Nepali Army Headquarters Gaurav KC said that the United Nations Day celebration at the Military Headquarters will convey the message of unity for peace, equality, and cooperation.

Under the UN flagship, Nepal has received several assistances in sectors like labour, education, health, agriculture, tourism, and climate through 15 specialised agencies of the global organisation, including the International Labour Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisation, World Health Organisation, Postal Union, Civil Aviation, Climate, Intellectual Property, Maritime, Agricultural Development Fund, Industrial Development, and Tourism Organisation.

In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared October 24, the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, to be devoted to making known to the people of the world the aims and achievements of the UN and to gain their support for its work. 

The United Nations was established on October 24, 1945.

Nepal became a member nation of the United Nations in 1955 and began deploying peacekeepers three years later. The country has been deploying security personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force to UN peacekeeping missions. 

At present, Nepal ranks first in terms of contributing highest military personnel to UN peacekeeping forces in the world.

Currently, 97,000 peacekeepers from 120 nations are serving at the request of the UN.

Under the UN umbrella, 5,918 Nepali peacekeepers, including 651 women, are deployed in 11 peace missions across different countries, according to Nepali Army Headquarters.

Nepal also tops the list of countries deploying female personnel in peacekeeping missions. Additionally, 195 personnel from the Armed Police Force and 28 from the Nepal Police are currently serving in peace missions.

Nepali peacekeepers have enhanced the country's reputation by working with integrity and professionalism in complex, risky, and challenging environments.

According to the Nepali Army, so far 153,654 Nepali peacekeepers have joined the service in 44 missions.

Nepal’s collaboration with the United Nations for global peace started in 1958 when it deployed five military observers to Lebanon. In 1974, Nepal deployed the old Gorkha Battalion of the then Nepali Army to Egypt. 

So far, 73 Nepali peacekeepers have attained martyrdom, and 69 have been injured.

Former UN peacekeeping Force Commander Ishwar Hamal stated that due to their professionalism and fearless execution of directives even in challenging situations, all Force Commanders prefer working with Nepali personnel.

He further analysed that the Nepali Army has become the first choice of both the UN and civilians in conflict-ridden countries due to its sociable nature and excellent execution of responsibilities.

The Nepali government has already expressed its commitment that Nepal is prepared to deploy even 10,000 soldiers at one time of deployment if requested by the UN. 

Recognising Nepal's contribution, Nirmal Thapa has been appointed Force Commander of the peace mission in Syria. Prior to him, Krishna Narasimha Thapa, Victory Rana, Balananda Sharma, Pawan Jung Thapa, and Purna Chandra Thapa had also held the position of Force Commander.