The high-stakes address, marking the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, comes as rising global tensions place frontline personnel under unprecedented risk.

Guterres warned that local political solutions cannot succeed without reliable international funding and stricter protections for troops.

In the statement issued on May 29, Guterres highlighted the massive, ongoing scale of global operations tasked with protecting vulnerable populations.

“Right now, more than 50,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed across the globe protecting civilian lives,” Guterres stated.

He underscored the brutal conditions under which these troops operate to prevent full-scale warfare.

“Far from home, in some of the world’s most dangerous settings, they deescalate tensions between hostile parties, oversee aid delivery, support elections, and create space for political solutions to grow,” he said.

The Secretary-General noted that today's commemoration serves as a solemn reminder of the deadly price paid by those deployed to enforce ceasefires.

He disclosed that thousands of personnel have died on duty, including dozens over the last 12 months.

“On this International Day, we honour peacekeepers past and present, and reaffirm our shared responsibility to respect and strengthen their work,” Guterres remarked.

He directly addressed the ongoing losses suffered by UN missions worldwide.

“We pay tribute to the nearly 4,500 peacekeepers who have lost their lives since 1948, including 59 last year,” Guterres said, adding firmly, “No one should die serving the cause of peace.”

With peacekeepers frequently targeted by armed groups, Guterres issued a direct legal warning to member states regarding their safety obligations under international law.

“Attacks on peacekeepers are grave violations of international humanitarian law, and Member States must uphold their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel at all times,” the UN chief declared.

A Call to 'Invest in Peace'

As missions face severe logistical problems and shifting geopolitics, the UN leader argued that strong international funding is the only sustainable path to global stability.

“In an era of rising tensions, peacekeeping is a proven and cost-effective way to restore stability and hope,” Guterres explained. “But it requires steady political backing – and reliable financial support.”

Guterres pressed global leaders to back up diplomatic words with immediate resources under this year's official campaign.

“This year’s theme, Invest in Peace, calls for decisive action to ensure peacekeepers have the resources to carry out their vital mandates,” Guterres said. “An investment in peacekeeping is an investment in a safer future. Let us always support the people who help make peace possible.”