Peacekeeping today is facing unprecedented challenges. Wars have become more deadly and more complex. They last longer, and political settlements have become harder to reach. Peacekeeping missions are being tasked with bigger, more complex mandates, while peacekeepers face new threats like terrorism and the weaponization of new technologies.
Over peacekeeping’s history, we have had to adapt to new challenges to remain the effective, cost-efficient tool for peace we have proven to be. In remarks to the Security Council on Monday, the UN Secretary General noted that this evolution has allowed us “to mount tailored responses that have saved lives, reduced violence, prevented the expansion of and spillover of deadly conflicts, and stopped atrocities.”
This progress has been made possible through our partnerships with UN Member States, and continues today, showing that peacekeeping can remain a unifying force for peace even amidst growing geopolitical divisions.
This March 28th marks the seventh anniversary of the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, a global partnership between UN Peacekeeping, UN Member States and others launched in 2018 to strengthen peacekeeping operations. It has been successful in helping to upgrade peacekeeping operations in the face of evolving conflict environments.
Joining forces to advance peaceful, political solutions to conflict
Peace does not last unless the root causes of conflict are addressed. This is why we work to find durable political solutions to conflict. These efforts are most effective when backed by Member States, including the UN Security Council and States with an influence in the areas where peacekeeping missions are operating. Through A4P, Member States recommitted this critical political support, which is having a positive impact.
In 2019, the peace deal signed in the Central African Republic was reached with the support of the peacekeeping mission, MINUSCA, with critical efforts from the African Union and Economic Community of Central African States. Similar diplomatic engagement will be needed from Member States to help peacekeeping missions maintain ceasefires, prevent fragile peace agreements from collapsing, and start laying the groundwork for sustainable peace. Their support will be particularly critical in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and the Middle East.
Strengthening operations
Missions carry out a wide range of activities: they monitor ceasefires, conduct military operations to protect populations against armed groups, help governments build the capacity to deliver basic services like security and rule of law, support democratic elections, build infrastructure, and much more. To be effective, military, police and civilian peacekeepers need to have specialized skills, must be exceptionally well-coordinated, and need to be able to leverage strategic communications to engage communities, fight misinformation and build momentum towards peace.
For instance, A4P has helped peacekeeping advance in all these areas. Member State support has enabled initiatives like the Triangular Partnership Programme (TPP), which is providing training in areas such as engineering, medical services, and camp security technologies.
Holding peacekeepers accountable – and being accountable to them in return
Peacekeepers are expected to meet the highest standards of accountability to the global community whose flag they serve under, the communities they are working to protect, and to the environments they operate in. Through A4P and A4P+, Member States and peacekeeping are combatting sexual exploitation and abuse committed by UN personnel, strengthening performance measurement for peacekeepers, and minimizing missions’ environmental footprints.
Just as peacekeepers are accountable to the people they serve, so too must the global community be accountable to them and keep them as safe as possible as we ask them to risk their lives for peace. Despite facing increasing security threats, the overall number of fatalities of peacekeepers is falling, helped by initiatives to strengthen the safety and security of peacekeepers, like improving bunkers and access to live-saving medical care.
Leveraging data
Member States are also helping peacekeeping missions leverage data and technology to more effectively and efficiently deliver mandates and keep peacekeepers safe. Member State support has enabled the development and deployment of tools like the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment System (CPAS), which is enabling missions to use data and analysis to assess their impact and inform operations.
Similarly, monitoring of progress implementing A4P and A4P+ is letting us assess achievements and gaps in our endeavours to strengthen peacekeeping.
Women’s engagement
Across all of A4P’s efforts, Member States are working with us to ensure women are engaged in peace initiatives and in peacekeeping missions themselves. This recognizes the fundamental right of women to participate in peace processes, and the evidence that shows peace agreements are less likely to fail when women are involved.
More to accomplish
The UN Secretary General has acknowledged that “geopolitical divisions are undermining peace,” making this Member State-backed progress even more important and remarkable. However there remains a persistent mismatch between what missions have been asked to accomplish and the resources they are given. Continued support for A4P and A4P+, including at the upcoming Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, are opportunities for Member States to help chart the difficult path towards a more peaceful future.
#COVID19 is not just a health crisis; the effects will be felt for years to come. The Action for Peacekeeping initiative was born to take on challenges just like this one. By working together, we can expedite the concrete, measurable impact of peacekeeping on the ground. #A4P pic.twitter.com/rBN76mOruv
— UN Peacekeeping (@UNPeacekeeping) June 17, 2020