What is Action for Peacekeeping+ ?
In March 2021, Secretary-General António Guterres launched Action for Peacekeeping + (A4P+) at an event to mark the third anniversary of A4P. It is the implementation strategy of the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative for 2021-2023, which aims to focus on key priorities that are designed to be catalytic and enhance our missions’ impact.
"Peacekeeping has never been more relevant and its success more urgent. The Action for Peacekeeping initiative is aimed first and foremost at making our missions stronger, safer and more effective. A4P+ aims to accelerate its implementation. We are taking concrete actions across all areas of A4P+, from enhancing the safety, security and wellbeing of our personnel, to increasing the participation and expanding the role of women in our missions."
-UN Secretary-General António Guterres
The objective of the seven A4P+ priorities are also to accelerate progress on the implementation of the Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping, by strengthening impact and meeting today’s challenges. The priorities are based on an analysis of achievements, gaps, and challenges in taking forward A4P since 2018. They include two cross-cutting themes—women, peace and security, and innovative, data-driven and technology-enabled peacekeeping, including through the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping.
A4P+ does not replace A4P, which remains the core agenda of UN Peacekeeping. It serves to increase momentum on Action for Peacekeeping by focusing on a few systematic and cross-cutting priorities. Any effort to drive forward an A4P+ priority will have positive multiplier effects on A4P commitments across several thematic areas.
What are the seven A4P+ priorities?
Collective coherence behind a political strategy
There is a need for peacekeeping missions to work towards adherence to a common strategy both internally and with key partners, including regional organizations, Member States, international financial institutions, and UN agencies, funds and programmes. Missions will also use their convening power to bring the collective resources of all partners to bear.
Strategic and operational integration
Enhancing strategic and operational integration in peacekeeping missions is essential to achieving unity of purpose for greater impact.
Capabilities and mindsets
Peacekeeping missions must have the right capabilities and mindsets for mandate implementation.
Accountability to peacekeepers
There is a need to advance current efforts to improve the safety, security and well-being of our peacekeepers. Holding perpetrators of crimes against peacekeepers accountable will continue to remain a priority.
Accountability of peacekeepers
More needs to be done to further enhance accountability for conduct and discipline, with a focus on prevention, enforcement and remedial action and strengthened support to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. We will maintain focus on accountability for our missions’ environmental footprint, working to minimize their risk to people, societies and ecosystems. We will also continue to step up our efforts to regularly assess our performance, recognize good performance and improve accountability for performance.
Strategic communications
Strategic communications will be better integrated into our planning cycles and our risk management efforts, to promote successes, manage expectations, and help address misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. It must also be recognized as a senior leadership responsibility and function, requiring a whole-of-mission, coordinated approach.
Cooperation with host countries
Constructive engagement and cooperation with our host countries remains central to political solutions, increasing peacekeepers’ safety and security, bolstering performance and supporting successful transitions.
What are the A4P+ cross cutting themes?
The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda and innovative, data-driven and technology-enabled peacekeeping, including through the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping, are integrated into these seven priorities. Ensuring that WPS is integrated throughout A4P+ ensures a positive multiplier effect as women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in peace and political processes as well as the systemic integration of gender and WPS in all aspects of peacekeeping is central to enhancing operational effectiveness in peacekeeping and sustaining peace.
A4P+ and peacekeeping partners
Active support of Member States, international, regional and sub-regional organizations, civil society and other peacekeeping partners is critical to advancing the priorities within A4P+.
At the 2021 Seoul UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, 62 Member States announced new pledges to help enhance the performance and impact of peacekeeping operations, contributing to the advancement of A4P+. Many Member States also expressed support for A4P+ in their remarks.