UN Salutes Zambia’s Peacekeeping Missions

On 29th May the UN Resident Coordinator in Zambia, Beatrice Mutali has offered her congratulations to the Zambian UN blue helmets for “serving with distinction and sacrifice and being exemplary in promoting gender inclusion, equality and unity in peacekeeping by increasing opportunities for women peacekeepers.”

The role of the UN Resident Coordinator was reformed in 2019, making it entirely independent of any agencies and its functions are distinctive from those of the Resident Representative of the UNDP. It aims to draw together the various UN agencies to maximize their operational efficiency in Zambia. Ms Mutali, appointed on 8th May, brought a wealth of experience with her in the area of sexual and reproductive health rights.

During the Day of UN Peacekeepers at the Arakan Barracks in Lusaka on the 29th May, Ms Mutali emphasised the need for peacekeeping missions to be inclusive, adaptive and innovative – this echoed the theme of the commemoration which was ‘Fit for the Future: Building better together’.

The Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma announced that more than two million peacekeepers had served on 71 missions. Mr Lufuma praised their professionalism, dedication, selfless service and courage.