UN official urges strengthened support and reform in peacekeeping operations

HAMILTON, Canada

The UN official for peace operations stressed on Monday the urgent need for "strong" and "unified support" from member states to enhance the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions.

"Now in its 77th year, UN peacekeeping remains a cornerstone of multilateralism in action. However, peacekeeping faces formidable challenges, as does the multilateral system writ large," Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, told at a UN Security Council session.

Stating that peacekeeping efforts can be "as strong as the collective support of the UN membership," Lacroix said: "As geopolitical tensions have mounted, including here in this Council, and amid shifting global and regional dynamics, peacekeeping operations are increasingly unable to rely on Member States to act in a strong, unified manner to support peacekeeping efforts or the political processes they are mandated to support."

He also highlighted five key areas for improvement, including clear mandates, robust partnerships, and continued investment in peacekeeper safety.

"We need broad coalitions of Member States to undergird the political efforts of peacekeepers," he said, pointing to successful past operations in Timor-Leste and Liberia.

Despite progress in peacekeeper security and evacuation procedures, Lacroix noted the rising number of hostile acts against peacekeepers and stressed the limits of peacekeeping efforts without political agreements or cease-fires.

He further urged leaders at the upcoming Summit of the Future to reaffirm global commitment to peacekeeping and multilateralism.

"The Summit will be a moment to re-appraise and re-affirm the inherent strengths that have made peacekeeping successful over nearly eight decades," he added.

For her part, the head of the International Crisis Group Comfort Ero told the Council that "There is always room for improvement to the UN’s systems."

"The Council should not set up representatives of the UN for failure," she said, adding that "Despite the diplomatic differences and difficulties that you face, it is incumbent on you to give UN peacekeeping operations the political support they need–to end wars and protect the vulnerable."

Head of the International Peace Institute, Zeid Ra’ad Al-Hussein, also at the Council noted the decline in the willingness of States to host missions and the reluctance of others to provide political support.

Urging the Council to mandate UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to visit security hotspots, Al-Hussein said: "It is the Secretary-General who has the most complete grasp of the entire UN system. It is the Secretary-General who also has the clearest vision of the strategic chess board."