REMARKS BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNOG TO PANEL DISCUSSION ON OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF UN PEACEKEEPERS

Following are the remarks by Sergei A. Ordzhonikidze, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, which he delivered today at the Palais des Nations at the panel discussion on the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers:

“It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to our annual roundtable discussion to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Every year, this event is a unique experience because of the remarkable men and women we pay tribute to: our peacekeepers. We are grateful to organize the commemoration in collaboration with the Soldiers of Peace International Association, and it is indeed a privilege to welcome so many peacekeepers, our colleagues and friends, here today. But, this year, our gathering takes on added significance, as we mark the 60th anniversary of United Nations peacekeeping. This commemoration is a most welcome opportunity to highlight not only the achievements so far, but more importantly to reflect on the challenges ahead.

Over the past 60 years, peacekeeping has developed into one of the main instruments used by the international community to manage complex crises that pose a threat to international peace and security. Peacekeeping is at the heart of the United Nations’ activities. In many ways, the Blue Helmets sum up what the United Nations is all about: bringing peace and security to war-torn societies and helping people to live in stability and dignity. It is no small wonder that peacekeeping, for many, has come to symbolize the Organization itself.

United Nations peacekeeping is in higher demand than ever before. In the first 40 years of peacekeeping, only 13 operations were deployed. By comparison, 50 operations have been put on the ground over the past 20 years. This reflects the trust that the international community places in the United Nations’ ability to deliver peace and stability. This raises expectations, which we can only meet if we continue to enhance our peacekeeping capacity.

We must be realistic about what peacekeeping can be expected to achieve. It is not a universal panacea. Peacekeeping can only be effective in contexts where there is a peace to keep and a viable peace process. An operation must function on the basis of clear, credible and achievable mandates, backed by strong political support of the entire membership, including neighbouring States.

Effective peacekeeping requires adequate funding, provision of resources, technology and equipment. The current budget for peacekeeping stands at an all-time high of almost 7 billion dollars. Yet, this is still less than half a percent of global military expenditure, which has topped 1.2 trillion dollars. Peacekeeping remains not only the most cost-effective solution, but also one that enjoys unique legitimacy and is therefore more likely to succeed in the longer term.

The most vital and precious resource is, of course, our peacekeepers themselves. I am grateful that we have with us today representatives of some of the most generous troop contributing countries. Peacekeeping is a crucial tool for collective security, and the provision of well-equipped, well-trained and disciplined military and police personnel is a shared responsibility. It is encouraging that more developed countries, with unique capacities for meeting some of the specific needs of peacekeeping, are taking part, and that existing contributors are increasing their numbers. This trend must be not only sustained, but also increased, if we are to respond effectively to the surge in demand for peacekeeping. The Permanent Members of the Security Council have a particular responsibility in this regard.

The United Nations remains fully committed to the policy of zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse. It is an issue that the Organization will continue to address candidly, comprehensively and robustly. We have already undertaken a series of measures designed to tackle this problem directly, from establishing Conduct and Discipline Units in all of our Missions to strengthening the training regimes for all categories of personnel to ensure accountability to the highest standards of conduct. The United Nations will continue to depend on the active efforts of its troop and police contributing countries investigating and disciplining their national personnel found to have committed misconduct while serving in United Nations operations.

In line with Security Council resolution 1325, the United Nations is working to ensure that gender perspectives are integrated into all functional areas of peacekeeping. The inclusion of female contingents in peacekeeping forces is not only a powerful example of the value of gender balance, but a way of empowering women on the ground.

Partnerships are becoming increasingly critical in peacekeeping. Cooperation with regional actors, such as the African Union, the European Union and NATO, are a case in point. We need to capitalize on the comparative strengths of these organizations, while also giving thought to extending cooperation to other regional organizations. The Secretary-General is committed to reinforcing cooperation with regional organizations, so as to create a predictable, interlinked and reliable system for global peacekeeping under the Charter.

In the framework of partnerships, the full deployment of the hybrid United Nations-African Union force – known as UNAMID – is a key priority for the Organization. Even where UNAMID is deployed, it is not yet fully equipped to carry out its mandated tasks. Support from Member States and the Host State is essential if UNAMID is to fulfil it mandate. Nevertheless, we must remember that even at full strength UNAMID – as any peacekeeping operation – cannot substitute for a political process, and it cannot impose peace. The deployment of MINURCAT in Chad and the Central African Republic represents another significant challenge, not least in light of the unresolved issues in the region. The engagement of the European Union, through a one-year deployment of EUFOR, is welcome in this regard.

Today marks the day when the first peacekeeping operation – the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East – was authorized. The operation is still on the ground. This points to another important aspect of effective peacekeeping: the need to stay the course, without making peacekeeping a permanent fixture and creating dependency. It is a sad fact that international attention often wanes when assistance is most needed. Management of the transition from peacekeeping to long-term peacebuilding is central to long-term stability. Until basic capacities for security and order are in place, social and economic development cannot proceed. The international community must sustain, and even expand, support for institution-building to ensure that the gains of peacekeeping are not lost. In this respect, there is a growing awareness of the fundamental role of security sector reform in the transition to peace, and of the need for a holistic and coherent approach to this issue within the United Nations.

Constantly strengthening our peacekeeping capabilities is the most appropriate way to honour those colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty. We must continue to build on our shared vision and ensure unity of purpose. Most importantly, we need the courageous men and women, who spend time away from family and loved ones, at great personal risk in volatile and uncertain circumstances, dedicated to the principles of the Charter and guided by their desire to make a difference. For 60 years, they have served the Organization and the international community with distinction and valour. They are a source of pride and inspiration to us all. As I said at the ceremony earlier, millions of people owe them their lives; we all owe them an eternal debt of gratitude.

This day is their day”.


For use of the information media; not an official record


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