This House of Lords Library briefing has been prepared to mark the United Nations’ International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May 2019.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29 May 2019 (133 KB , PDF)
The date was chosen to commemorate the first UN peacekeeping mission in Palestine in 1948. The UN stated that the day pays tribute to “the professionalism, dedication and courage of all the men and women serving in UN peacekeeping organisations, and honours the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace”. It said that more than 3,700 peacekeepers have lost their lives serving under the UN flag since 1948, including 129 in 2018.
International Day of UN Peacekeepers: 29 May 2019 (133 KB , PDF)
The US government has recently shifted its approach to Ukraine, engaging in direct negotiations with Russia regarding the conflict’s resolution, pursuing a minerals agreement with Ukraine, and temporarily halting military aid and intelligence sharing. During these developments, the UK government has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine through financial and military assistance, in addition to hosting a peace summit and committing further military aid.
The Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Baroness Northover (Liberal Democrat). The bill would require the UK government to formally recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.
![Palestine Statehood (Recognition) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 37 of 2024-25](https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/Foreign-Policy-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
The global landscape has changed significantly over the last couple of decades. This has led to questions about the UK’s current global standing and its ambitions. This briefing considers these issues in the context of the UK’s membership of international organisations, and its defence policy, foreign policy, and influence through soft power, the economy and aid spending.
