«On behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General, it gives me great pleasure to present you with this United Nations Medal in recognition of your remarkable contribution to the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire. You are an illustration of the perfect model recommended by the United Nations," declared the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d'Ivoire and head of the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, at a medal parade ceremony for 849 peacekeepers of the Jordanian Contingent (JORBATT 15) on Tuesday, 15 April 2014 in Abidjan.



The head of UNOCI urged them to accomplish the UN Security Council mandate by their professionalism and their constant and effective devotion to duty. "I am more than confident that you will continue to work energetically for the consolidation of peace and security in Côte d'Ivoire," she added.

The Special Representative said that the awarding of the United Nations to peacekeepers was in recognition of their devotion, professionalism and contribution to the realisation of peace all over the world.

"I would like to congratulate the recipients and take the opportunity to express my gratitude to the Jordanian Contingent. The United Nations attaches great importance to the effort made by those who wear the uniform of peacekeepers for the restoration of peace and security in the world," said Mrs Mindaoudou. She said that the aim of the awarding of the UN Medal is to motivate the Jordanian peacekeepers to continue to work tirelessly to accomplish the noble objectives of the United Nations which are peace and security.



The Special Representative then asked the Jordanian peacekeepers to remember those who have died while serving for peace. "Even if today is a day of rejoicing, we must use it to pay homage to our colleagues who lost their lives in the service of peace," she declared.

Mrs Mindaoudou recalled that the Jordanian Armed Forces significantly contributes to peacekeeping operations all over the world. "Their participation in peacekeeping started in 1989 in Angola. Today, they serve in Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haïti, Darfour and South Sudan. JORBATT and the Jordanian Company (JOCOY) arrived in 2006 and 2005 respectively . Since then they have shown their commitment to peace by providing medical support and assistance to the population during the electoral period", she added.



For his part, Brigadier-General Taha-Al-Aqeel, UNOCI's Commander of Abidjan Sector said that his contingent was honoured to participate in peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the United Nations. "This Organisation is making considerable effort to ensure that people live in peace throughout the world. The Jordanian Army will not hesitate to provided help and protection to the weak," he concluded.