India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the countries that supported the initiative, highlighting the remarkable achievement of the resolution receiving a record 190 co-sponsorships in the United Nations General Assembly. In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi shared his delight over the adoption of the resolution, stating, “Delighted that the Resolution to establish a new Memorial Wall for fallen Peacekeepers, piloted by India, has been adopted in the UN General Assembly. The Resolution received a record 190 co-sponsorships. Grateful for everyone’s support.”
The United Nations General Assembly has approved a draft resolution put forth by India, which aims to create a memorial wall within the UN Headquarters to honor peacekeepers who have lost their lives. Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, introduced the resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United Nations peacekeepers’ during a session at the UN General Assembly hall. The resolution garnered support from approximately 190 UN member states and was adopted by consensus.
The UN recognized and appreciated the efforts of Member States in proposing the establishment of a memorial wall at a suitable and prominent location within the UN Headquarters in New York. The purpose of the wall is to pay tribute to the memory of fallen peacekeepers, with careful consideration given to the logistical aspects, including the inscription of the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ambassador Kamboj highlighted that the memorial wall will serve as a testament to the significance that the UN attaches to peacekeeping and will also serve as a constant reminder of the consequences of our decisions.
The resolution, co-submitted by 18 countries, including Bangladesh, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, France, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Rwanda, and the United States, signifies the collective recognition of the importance of honoring fallen peacekeepers. Ambassador Kamboj eloquently stated that peacekeepers are not merely born but are shaped through their selfless acts and unwavering dedication, paving the way for a world where peace triumphs over conflict. According to the resolution, the construction of the memorial wall should be completed within three years of its adoption.
Back in 2015, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN initiated a virtual memorial wall dedicated to Indian troops who sacrificed their lives while serving as UN peacekeepers. This virtual wall laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the physical Peacekeepers Memorial Wall. India proposed the construction of this memorial wall as a fitting tribute to all the troops from UN member states who made the ultimate sacrifice while fulfilling their duties under the banner of the United Nations.
During the high-level General Assembly week in September 2015, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech at the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping, hosted by then US President Barack Obama at the UN Headquarters. In his address, Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to the fallen peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives while defending the core principles of the United Nations. He expressed his belief that it would be appropriate to swiftly create the proposed memorial wall for fallen peacekeepers, affirming India’s readiness to contribute, including financially, to this noble objective.
