The Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial and the preparatory process will focus on achieving concrete and tangible outcomes to improve peacekeeping operations, in line with ongoing peacekeeping reform efforts, specifically Action for Peacekeeping+ (A4P+). The Secretary-General has put forward A4P+ as a new implementation strategy for Action for Peacekeeping. It encompasses seven priority areas and is designed to enhance implementation of the Declaration of Shared Commitments. The Ministerial will serve as a platform for Member States to contribute their support to this strategy.
Member States will be encouraged to create or strengthen bilateral and triangular support and partnerships to ensure these improvements are sustained and have impact.
Thematic focus
In consideration of the impact of medical support and technology on enhancing peacekeeping, the Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial will highlight medical capacity building and technology in peacekeeping as important cross-cutting issues. The Ministerial will draw on the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping and specifically articulated UN requirements for medical support, as well as discuss opportunities to improve the environmental footprint of peacekeeping. Women, Peace, and Security, which has been a key focus of previous Ministerial meetings, will have a dedicated side event and will be mainstreamed throughout the preparatory process and the Ministerial itself.
The objective of the 2021 Ministerial is to strengthen UN peacekeeping, including by improving the performance and impact of UN peacekeeping operations in line with A4P+; and to further this objective, close capability gaps through concrete pledges including by facilitating new and sustainable partnerships while strengthening existing ones.
Preparatory process
Four preparatory meetings hosted by the Co-chairs will lead up to the 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial.
- 3-10 Nov 2020: Preparatory Conference on Sustaining Peace, co-hosted by Bangladesh, Canada and the United Kingdom (Concept Note and Summary of the meeting)
- 21-22 July 2021: Preparatory Conference on Partnerships for Performance and Accountability, co-hosted by Rwanda and the United States (Concept Note and Summary of the meeting)
- 1-2 Sept 2021: Preparatory Conference on Partnerships and Training and Capacity Building, co-hosted by Ethiopia, Indonesia and Japan (Concept Note and Summary of the meeting)
- 25-26 October 2021: Preparatory Conference on Protection of Civilians and Safety and Security, co-hosted by the Netherlands and Pakistan (Concept Note and Summary of the meeting)