UN Honors Peacekeeping Heroes, Calls for Renewed Investment in Peace
The United Nations (UN) will honor two peacekeepers with the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage during a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York on June 5. This medal, the highest UN Peacekeeping award, recognizes outstanding bravery in dangerous situations. The ceremony is scheduled to take place between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM Istanbul time and will be broadcast live on UN Web TV.
Sergii Prykhodko: Awarded Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage
Sergii Prykhodko, a Ukrainian contractor, voluntarily replaced a less experienced colleague during a high-risk medical evacuation mission in March 2025 while serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). He lost his life during an operation to rescue a besieged group of soldiers when their helicopter came under fire, despite assurances of safe passage, resulting in injuries to two crewmates. Prykhodko’s commitment to duty and willingness to place himself in harm’s way helped save lives amidst escalating violence in the region.
Matias Reyes: Awarded Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage
Matias Reyes, a Uruguayan Sergeant Major, witnessed clashes between the Congolese Armed Forces and the M23 armed group in January 2025 while deployed with the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). While helping to secure the entrance of the MONUSCO base, he rescued wounded Congolese soldiers who had sought refuge at the base, repeatedly braving heavy gunfire. Reyes went beyond the call of duty, carrying 12 severely wounded soldiers to a temporary medical tent, thereby saving lives. A representative from Uruguay’s Permanent Mission to the UN, still serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is expected to receive Reyes’ medal.
Abhilasha Barak: Military Gender Advocate of the Year
Major Abhilasha Barak from India serves as the Gender Focal Point and a Team Commander within the Indian Battalion in South Lebanon. Barak integrates gender perspectives into military operations, patrols, and civil-military activities. She has conducted extensive outreach, interacting with over 5,000 women and girls through vocational training, education, and health programs that support women’s empowerment and post-conflict recovery. Additionally, she introduced an AI-powered platform called the Lebanon Gender Initiative, which includes complaint tracking, access to hotline services, self-defense resources, and training materials, enabling women and children to discreetly report gender-based violence.
Stephanie Königs: UN Woman Police Officer of the Year
Inspector Stephanie Königs from Germany has been recognized for her exceptional leadership and contributions during her assignment as a Patrol Team Leader at UNMISS from September 2024 to March 2026. She enhanced field operations by introducing structured patrol systems and improving coordination with the mission’s military peacekeeping personnel. Her leadership contributed to strengthening early warning mechanisms, supporting decision-making processes during crises. Königs demonstrated that women could confidently and authoritatively manage front-line policing efforts in a high-risk and politically sensitive environment, thereby increasing both the mission’s effectiveness and trust with local communities.
