World leaders vow to change UN peacekeeping operations

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Barack Obama, Chinese President Xi Jinping and several other leaders joined UN <g data-gr-id="34">Secretary General</g> Ban Ki-moon at the high-level Peacekeeping Summit here on Tuesday.

In a declaration, the 50 leaders recommitted to modernising UN peacekeeping operations and also reaffirmed their support for the UN “zero tolerance” policy on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.

“We are committed to <g data-gr-id="52">doing</g> our part to further strengthen peacekeeping,” the leaders said, adding that the additional significant commitments to UN peacekeeping announced by governments will help meet persistent capacity gaps, improve the performance and capabilities of uniformed personnel, support rapid deployment and reinforce and enhance the foundation for future peacekeeping efforts.

They also called on <g data-gr-id="57">other Member States</g> to join them in making additional commitments to UN peacekeeping.

The leaders underscored the need to enhance consultations between the members of the Security Council and relevant Member States contributing personnel to UN peacekeeping operations to seek a shared understanding of the mandates and a common commitment to their implementation.Modi, in his address to the gathering, had raised India’s concerns that <g data-gr-id="44">troop contributing</g> countries do not have a role in the decision-making process of peacekeeping mandates and also do not have adequate representation in senior management and as Force Commanders. Underlining the difficult circumstances under which troops have to do their duty, Modi had said peacekeepers on Tuesday are called upon not only to maintain peace and <g data-gr-id="59">security,</g> but also address a range of complex challenges.

The declaration said effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations is the responsibility of all Member States and relies particularly on partnerships among the UNSC, Troop and Police Contributing Countries, financial contributors, host countries, the UN Secretariat and regional organizations.

The leaders stressed that contributions to peacekeeping operations by member countries must be accompanied by reforms in how UN peacekeeping is organized and supported. 

The leaders acknowledged the critical role played by subregional and regional organisations in confronting some of the world’s most difficult stabilisation challenges, and underscored their commitment to supporting deeper partnerships and cooperation between the UN and such regional organisations to address threats to international peace and security.

“We highlight that UN peacekeeping operations are most effective when they support an end to violent conflicts, shore up the confidence of all parties to pursue the peaceful resolution of disputes and aid in advancing the cause of peace. We affirm the primary importance of efforts to mitigate and prevent conflict, including through the use of UN mediation, good offices and special political missions,” the declaration said.

Welcoming the efforts to advance the cause of reform through the report of the UN chief, it underscored the need for a truly integrated mission planning and assessment process that fuses operations and logistics with political goals.

It stressed on the need for intelligence capabilities, which identify threats to UN personnel and facilitate the effective implementation of mandates; capable and accountable leadership in peacekeeping operations and merit-based leadership selection, with due consideration for geographical representation; and a more effective peace and security bureaucracy at the UN Headquarters. The leaders termed as “unacceptable” sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers, including all civilian staff deployed to UN peacekeeping operations.

“We reaffirm our support for the UN zero tolerance policy on all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. We call on the Secretary-General to continue to strengthen the Organisation’s prevention, enforcement and remediation efforts,” they said.

The leaders said they are committed to <g data-gr-id="45">taking</g> serious and concerted action to combat sexual exploitation and abuse, including rigorous vetting and training of uniformed personnel to be deployed to UN peacekeeping operations, as well as swift and thorough investigations, appropriate accountability measures and timely reporting to the UN on all incidents.