Germany calls for ‘pragmatic’ UN peacekeeping reforms

BERLIN 

New German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Tuesday has called for "pragmatic and ambitious" UN peacekeeping reforms.

“The following key question should guide our discussions over the next two years: how can we make peacekeeping more effective, more efficient, and fit for the future?” Wadephul said at an international UN peacekeeping conference in Berlin.

“Peacekeeping operations must be designed to respond swiftly to rapidly changing conflict dynamics. This requires Security Council mandates that are not only realistic but flexible,” he added.

Pointing out that the number of conflicts has increased over the past decade, he stressed that “peacekeeping must adapt to a changing international environment.

“Peacekeeping operations must be designed to respond swiftly to rapidly changing conflict dynamics. This requires Security Council mandates that are not only realistic but also flexible.”

He also mentioned that peacekeeping missions require "a clear transition and exit strategy."

“Missions should develop defined transition plans from the outset,” the minister reiterated.

Wadepuhl made clear that peacekeeping missions can “only succeed” if they have local support.

Faced with diminished financial resources for the UN, Wadephul said: “Peacekeeping needs more and sustainable funding.”

“UN peacekeeping remains a sound investment and a powerful example for global burden-sharing,” he added.

Meanwhile, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius echoed Wadephul’s statements by saying that UN peacekeeping “remains a cornerstone of international stability and order.”

“We strongly believe that UN peacekeeping remains one of the most legitimate, effective, and cost-efficient tools of international crisis management. It is multilateralism in action. It is active burden-sharing,” he said.

“UN peacekeeping has proven to be a cornerstone of international crisis response for over 77 years. It has protected lives, supported political processes, and helped rebuild stability over violence,” he added.

Germany is hosting the two-day UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, which is providing a forum for the development of specific contributions to the UN’s future peacekeeping efforts.

The objective is to improve the long-term effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions, increase public acceptance of blue helmet missions, and improve security for peacekeepers deployed on these missions.