Day of the Peacekeeper
Each year since 2013 the German Day of the Peacekeeper has been held under the catchphrase “working for peace.” Once a year, the Federal Republic of Germany honours three police officers, three soldiers and three civilian experts as representatives of all the Germans deployed in international peace operations. In 2026, the Federal Foreign Office and ZIF served as hosts of the Peacekeeping Day ceremony held on 11 June.
About: Paying Tribute to Mission Personnel
The German Peacekeeping Day was initiated in 2013 as an expression of appreciation and gratitude toward German personnel working in international peace operations. By coming together to honour three police officers, three soldiers and three civilian experts every year, the event also highlights the particular importance of the comprehensive approach in crisis and conflict management.
It is inspired by the International Day of UN Peacekeepers. Each year on May 29, marking the start of the first peace operation in 1948, the United Nations commemorate its active and fallen personnel in missions.
The purpose of the integrated approach in crisis and conflict management is to:
- coordinate and, through pooling of resources or division of labour, to optimally employ
- resources of diplomacy, development cooperation, security policy and humanitarian aid,
- across departmental, ministerial or institutional boundaries.
German Peacekeeping Day 2026
Tag des Peacekeeping 2026: Außenminister Wadephul und Abgeordneter Armin Laschet im Gespräch mit zivilen Laureat:innen. ©Christina Czybik
The German Day of Peacekeeping took place for the 13th time on 11 June 2026. The Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Ministry of Defence, together with ZIF, honoured German mission personnel. The Federal Foreign Office and ZIF served as hosts.
The following civilian experts were honored:
- Patricia Albermann, Strategic Communication Advisor, NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova
- Thomas Hofmann, Head of Security and Health, EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah)
- Thomas Körner, Head of Legal Unit, International Crimes Component, EU Advisory Mission Ukraine
A Look Back at Past Events
Overview of Previous Days of the Peacekeeper
2025
On 3 June 2025, the Federal Ministry of the Interior hosted the 12th Day of Peacekeeping to once again honor German personnel in international peacekeeping missions for their achievements and merits. The ceremony took place at the Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt.
The following civilian experts were honored:
- Jörg Krempel, EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS)
- Petra Neumann, Register of Damage for Ukraine
- Cornelia Taylor, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
2024
On 27 June 2024, the Federal Ministry of Defence hosted the 11th Day of Peacekeeping to once again honor German personnel in international peacekeeping missions for their achievements and merits. The ceremony took place at the AXICA Congress and Conference Center.
The following civilian experts were honored:
- Dr. Ntagahoraho Burihabwa, United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) Libanon
- Michelle Dörlemann, United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM)
- Dr. Ousman Njikam, Special Criminal Court (SCC) Zentralafrikanische Republik
Read the full speech of Federal Minister Annalena Baerbock here (German only).
2023
The tenth Day of the Peacekeeper took place for the first time in the German Bundestag on June 22, 2023.
The following peacekeepers were honoured:
- Swen Dornig, NATO LANDCOM
- Sahra El Fassi, WFP Palästinensische Gebiete
- Sabrina Schirmer, OSCE Bosnien und Herzeogowina
2022
The ninth Day of the Peacekeeper was held on June 23rd 2022 and hosted by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community:
The following peacekeepers were honoured:
- Hannelore Valier, EUAM Ukraine
- Sebastian Hulde, SMM Ukraine
- Sabine Arnold, UNMISS Südsudan
2021
The eighth Day of the Peacekeeper was held on June 23rd 2021 and hosted by the Federal Ministry of Defense as an online event:
The following peacekeepers were honoured:
- Annett Gerber, OSZE SMM Ukraine
- Chief Petty Officer Michael Pantke, MINUSMA Mali
- Chief Police Inspector Axel Rehbehn, UNSOM Somalia
2020
No event
2019
2019: The seventh Day of the Peacekeeper was celebrated on 6 June in the Federal Foreign Office.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Kerstin Bartsch, Anti-Human Trafficking Adviser, EUCAP Sahel Niger
- Sebastian Frowein, Protection of Civilians Officer, MINUSMA Mali
- Claudia Vollmer, Head of Democratization Department, OSCE Presence in Albania
2018
2018: On 26 June, the sixth Day of the Peacekeeper was celebrated in the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Herta Eckert, Acting Head of the Luhansk Office, SMM Ukraine
- Michaela Ragg, Liaison Officer to the Ministry of the Interior of Niger, EUCAP Sahel Niger
- Matthias Plum, Adviser Justice Support Section Headquarter, MONUSCO
2017
2017: The 2017 Day of the Peacekeeper was hosted by the Federal Ministry of Defence on 23 October.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Emanuela Goerick, HR Officer, UNMC
- Sylwia Zalewska-Loewenberg, Criminal Law Expert, EUBAM Libya
- Matthias Kalusch, Head of Kiev’s Monitoring Team, SMM Ukraine
2016
The fourth German Day of the Peacekeeper was held on 1 June, 2016 in the Federal Foreign Office.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Christian Burckhardt, Political Advisor, MONUSCO
- Christel Liermann, International Engagement Officer, EUPOL Afghanistan
- Eva-Maria Velickovic, Monitoring Officer, SMM Ukraine
2015
The third Day of the Peacekeeper was organised by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and took place on 10 June 2015.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Antje Grawe, Special Assistant to the SRSG, MINUSTAH
- Christina Wagner, Human Rights & Gender Expert, EUCAP Sahel Niger
- Gertraud Marx-Leitenberger, Judge Special Chamber of the Supreme Court for Privatisation Matters, EULEX Kosovo
2014
The second Day of the Peacekeeper was celebrated on 11 June 2014 in the Federal Ministry of Defence.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Jörg Hinrichs-Lahmann, Reporting Officer, EUCAP Nestor
- Lisa Reefke, Political Affairs Officer, UNMISS
- Helena Karolina Szydlak, Reporting and Statistics Expert, EUPOL RD Congo
2013
The first Day of the Peacekeeper took place on 12 June 2013 in the Federal Foreign Office.
The following civilian experts were honoured:
- Kirsten Joppe, Chief of Security Monitoring Section, OMIK
- Nikolai Rogosaroff, Planning Officer in the Rule of Law and Security Institutions Support Office, UNMISS
- Jutta-Anna Lengsfeld, Rule of Law Adviser-Justice, EUPOL Afghanistan
