USG Peace Operations

Thank you very much Martin, and a good day to everybody, bonjour à tous. It is a pleasure to be here with you again and to say again that I do intend to have regular rendez-vous with all of you throughout the year. Today I would like perhaps to focus on a few issues that are going on this year, about some situations to which I have been recently, notably the Congo, the Sudans, possibly Somalia. Of course you are very welcome to ask any questions about any other subjectsubsequently.

Mr. President, 1. Thank you for this opportunity to further brief the Security Council on recent tensions at the border between Sudan and South Sudan, and recent reports of bombings in the border areas. I will also say a few words on the report of the creation of a new military coalition between the SPLM-North and Darfur rebel groups.   Mr. President,

Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects Dear Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, I am deeply honoured to have been appointed the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping. It is a great pleasure for me to be here with you and to address the Fourth Committee for the first time and to address you on UN Day. Your deliberations and collective leadership are vital to the work of all men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations around the world.

Looking back over an “intense” three-year tenure at the helm of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, outgoing Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy said that, despite some shortcomings, blue helmets should be credited for their achievements in reducing the scale of conflicts around the world.