Day of the Peacekeeper 2026: Germany Honors Personnel in International Peace Operations

At a ceremonial event held on the German Day of the Peacekeeper on 11 June 2026, the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of the Interior, and the Federal Ministry of Defence paid tribute to the commitment of 2,096 German experts and leaders serving in international peace operations.

The Day of the Peacekeeper annually highlights the work of individuals who, on behalf of the German Federal Government, assume responsibility in international missions and peace operations, often under challenging conditions. This year's event was hosted by the Federal Foreign Office.

Germany contributes civilian, police, and military personnel to missions conducted by the United Nations, the European Union, the OSCE, NATO, and other international organizations. Deployed experts contribute to conflict prevention, stabilization, the promotion of the rule of law, security sector reform, election observation, mediation, and the protection of human rights, demonstrating the broad range of responsibilities in international missions.

Recognizing Outstanding Achievements

Each of the three participating ministries honors three individuals at the event for their exceptional commitment to international peace operations. Christoph de Vries, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, honored police officers serving in international missions in Cyprus, Armenia, and South Sudan. Sebastian Hartmann, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, honored soldiers serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lebanon, and South Sudan.

The civilian laureates are honored by Foreign Minister Wadephul and have been seconded (deployed) to their missions through the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF).

Thomas Körner heads the Legal Unit of the International Crimes Component of the EU Advisory Mission Ukraine and supports Ukrainian partners in prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity, while also strengthening rule-of-law institutions.

Thomas Hofmann, Head of Security and Health at the EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah), is being recognized for his achievements in international security management. He is responsible for the safety and security of mission staff and ensures that they can carry out their mandate even under difficult conditions.

Patricia Albermann, Strategic Communication Advisor at the NATO Liaison Office in the Republic of Moldova, is being honored for her work in strategic communication and resilience. She supports Moldovan institutions in countering disinformation and building sustainable crisis management capabilities.

ZIF as a Partner in International Peace Operations

On behalf of the German Federal Government, ZIF supports the deployment of German experts to international peace missions. The honored laureates represent many professionals and leaders who contribute to peace, security, and stability worldwide—including 147 currently deployed through ZIF.

Germany's Commitment

Germany makes substantial contributions to international peace operations and thereby assumes global responsibility for peace and security. Currently, a total of 2,096 Germans are participating in international peace operations, including 146 seconded civilian experts, 1,865 Bundeswehr soldiers, and 85 police officers (as of May 2026). Germany's contribution to the UN peacekeeping budget amounts to USD 278.4 million for the budget period from July 2025 to June 2026. This makes Germany the fourth-largest contributor, accounting for 5.69% of the total UN peacekeeping budget.

The full event is available for replay on the Federal Foreign Office's YouTube channel (in German).