PONTIANAK NEWS – The United Nations (UN) awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld medal to two Indonesian peacekeepers who died in the line of duty in 2025.
The posthumous award was presented by UN Secretary General António Guterres in an official ceremony at UN Headquarters, New York, United States, Friday 5 June 2026.
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The two Indonesian personnel who received the award were Second Corporal Eko Prambudi Santoso and Police Brigadier Chief Sri Widodo. Both died while serving on a UN peacekeeping mission in a conflict area.
Kopda Eko Prambudi Santoso died while carrying out his duties at the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Meanwhile Bripka Sri Widodo died during the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA).
The Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia (PTRI) to the UN in New York stated that the Dag Hammarskjöld medal was given as a form of respect for peacekeepers who sacrificed their lives to maintain world peace throughout 2025.
“Indonesia pays its deepest respects to our fallen personnel,” said a written statement from PTRI received in Jakarta, Saturday 6 June 2026.
According to data from the UN Information Center (UNIC) Indonesia, apart from two Indonesian personnel, similar awards were also given to 66 military, police and civilian personnel from various countries who died while carrying out peacekeeping duties. Thus, the total number of posthumous medal recipients this year reached 68 people.
Indonesia is currently listed as the sixth largest contributor to UN peacekeeping forces. Nearly 2,000 Indonesian military and police personnel, including 156 female personnel, are serving in various world peace missions.
Overall, more than 50,000 personnel from 118 countries are currently involved in 11 UN-run peacekeeping missions.
Meanwhile, awards for Indonesian personnel who died while serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) amidst the escalation of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict at the beginning of this year are scheduled to be given at the 2027 awards ceremony.
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During the ceremony, medals for two Indonesian personnel were received by the Indonesian Permanent Envoy to the UN Umar Hadi who was accompanied by PTRI New York Military Advisor Brigadier General Robertus Subono.
