Germany’s Day of Peacekeeping, 2024: The Federal Government honours German police officers serving in international peacekeeping missions

type: News , Topic: Security , Date: 27 June 2024

The Federal Government marks this year’s Day of Peacekeeping at a ceremony with the theme "Our engagement in peacekeeping".

The Germans honoured at the Day of Peacekeeping ceremony stand for all those who serve in peacekeeping missions, often living and working under difficult conditions. Three members of the Bundeswehr, three civilian experts and three police officers were recognised for their service in peacekeeping missions abroad by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Federal Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. Some 350 guests were invited to the ceremony in Berlin. 

The peacekeepers honoured this year have served in Armenia (EUMA), Kosovo (UNMIK), Lebanon (UNIFIL), Somalia (EUCAP Somalia), South Sudan (UNMISS), and at the Special Criminal Court in the Central African Republic.

The police officers receiving awards

Detective Inspector Dörthe Papakonstantinou

Detective Inspector Papakonstantinou served most recently in Kosovo as an operation liaison officer and data analyst, producing daily reports on the security situation.

Already in 2001, she was an investigating officer in the Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). That was where she first developed an interest in serving in international missions, as Federal Minister Faeser noted in her speech: from the "experience of being able to do something useful for the local people, something that helps democracy become more firmly rooted. And from the sense of really being appreciated for this commitment.

Police Sergeant André Stock

Until May of this year, Police Sergeant Stock served as an armed protection operator in the European Union mission in Somalia (EUCAP Somalia).

Before that, he was responsible for protecting staff of the missions in Mali, Kosovo and Yemen. In her speech, Federal Minister Faeser thanked him: "You made sure that the mission staff were able to devote themselves to their work without having to worry about their safety. That is essential for every assignment. At the same time, you proved yourself to be a valuable member of an international team, and you were an excellent representative of our country. For that, you deserve the greatest respect."

Police Inspector Lysanne Köhnke

Police Inspector Köhnke was instrumental in creating the European Union Mission in Armenia (EUMA), and at the Martuni Field Office, she monitored the border conflicts with Azerbaijan. Three years before that, she served in the desert in Mali, where her main duties were reporting, helicopter missions and patrols.

Federal Minister Faeser said, "In your work with international colleagues, you too were an outstanding representative of Germany. German staff of international missions are held in such high regard thanks to people like you who get the job done. Who find practical solutions to local problems while sensitively navigating cultural differences. Thank you so much for your service."

Trophies awarded for the 2024 Day of Peacekeeping

Trophäen Peacekeeping 2024

Source: bundeswehr/ huettenhoelscher

German police officers abroad

German police officers are currently serving in 12 missions on three continents, reinforcing the stability of countries in crisis. They ensure security in the countries where they are assigned, helping to build lasting institutions and organisations based on the rule of law, for example by training and advising local security personnel. Since 1994, officers from the state police forces have been able to serve in international missions too. "Being able to appreciate and apply the many different national approaches is a very important skill. Our seconded police officers must have this skill to begin with, and they must apply it and further refine it where they are assigned. These missions in far-flung regions and very different cultural settings would not be possible without a great deal of flexibility and openness," Federal Minister Faeser said. She went on to thank the three police officers for their commitment, also as representatives of all those who volunteer to serve in international missions. "State police officers make up the largest share, and in this way they play a central role in shaping Germany’s involvement. I thank you all very much, and today, I would especially like to thank the three of you," Federal Minister Faeser said before the roughly 350 guests, which included many members of the German Bundestag.

Did you know ...

... that Germany is the fourth-largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping budget? Germany’s contribution currently amounts to about $388.5 million. That is 6.4% of the UN’s total budget for peacekeeping, which is currently some $6.05 billion.

  • 1.266Germans are serving in international peacekeeping missions

    of this number

  • 67 police officers

  • 1.029 military personnel

  • 170 civilian experts

  • 26 women(39%)

  • 73 women(12%)

  • 73 women(43%)

What is the Day of Peacekeeping?

Since 2013, the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Federal Ministry of the Interior have organised a ceremony every year to express their gratitude and appreciation for all German peacekeepers.

All news