Panel discussion on "United Nations Peacekeeping: Adapting to New Challenges"

Monsieur le Président de l'Association internationale des soldats de la paix,
Mesdames et Messieurs les Ambassadeurs,
Chers amis et collègues,

Je suis heureux de vous accueillir, à l’occasion de la Journée internationale des Casques bleus des Nations Unies, pour cette table ronde dédiée aux nouveaux défis que doivent affronter les forces de maintien de la paix. Ici, à Genève, nous célébrons avec enthousiasme cette Journée importante. J’aimerais d’ailleurs saisir cette opportunité pour remercier l’Association internationale des soldats de la paix, ainsi que son Président qui est parmi nous aujourd’hui, pour avoir contribué à l’organisation des activités de ce jour.

Permettez-moi maintenant de partager avec vous le message de notre Secrétaire général:
“This year’s International Day of Peacekeepers is an opportunity to raise awareness about new developments in the field while honouring those who lost their lives over the past year serving under the blue flag.

United Nations peacekeeping is increasingly called on to deploy multi-dimensional operations to help countries transition from conflict to peace, with a significant focus on protecting civilians, including the most vulnerable among them: women and children.

To meet emerging threats and rise to new challenges, United Nations peacekeeping is adapting its policies to better fulfil its mandates to bring lasting peace to war-torn countries.

We see one example of a new approach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the Security Council has authorized the deployment of an “Intervention Brigade” as well as unarmed, unmanned aerial vehicles to improve our ability to operate in this vast region.

Peacekeepers in Mali will operate under tough conditions marked by armed groups that threaten national and regional security. The mission will help stabilize the country, foster national reconciliation and protect civilians.

UN peacekeeping is also working to help reform national rule of law institutions. By strengthening the police, courts, and corrections, UN peacekeeping forges trust in local authorities. A fair and predictable rule of law system contributes, in turn, to stability and sustainable development long after our troops leave.

While we welcome these advances, we acknowledge that peacekeeping will always carry risks. Unidentified assailants have recently ambushed and killed peacekeepers in the DRC, Sudan and South Sudan, while blue helmets serving in the Middle East have been detained.

One hundred and eleven peacekeeping personnel died last year, and more than 3,100 have lost their lives during the UN’s 65-year history of peacekeeping. We salute their bravery and mourn their passing.

On this International Day, let us pay solemn tribute to those who have fallen, support the more than 111,000 serving soldiers and police from 116 countries, and continue adapting our operations to better help civilians who need protection and support.”

That was the end of the Secretary-General’s message. I would like to now make a few remarks on the subject of adapting to new challenges, the theme of today’s panel.

As the Secretary-General has highlighted, UN Peacekeeping continues to develop innovative ways to rapidly deploy and support operations. And to ensure that work is done in the most challenging conditions - in an efficient and cost-effective way.

How exactly has peacekeeping adapted over the years?

First, it is well recognized that peacekeeping has been increasingly called on to deploy multi-dimensional operations with a greater emphasis on the protection of civilians. Including the most vulnerable among them – women and children. In response, UN peacekeeping has adapted its policies, revised its structures and developed new practices and training to better perform these life-saving tasks.

Second, the UN has placed a significant emphasis on the recruitment of women peacekeepers in order to better address the needs of women in conflict zones. These women peacekeepers and protection officers are an enormous asset to peacekeeping.

Not only are they a concrete example of the value of women’s contributions to peace and security, but they also serve as role models for women in post-conflict communities. We will see a glimpse of some of these inspirational women in the film that will be shown shortly.

Third, UN peacekeepers continue to find better ways to assist in national political processes. They are responsible for a range of efforts, including elections and democracy building; reforming judicial systems; training law enforcement and police forces; disarming and reintegrating former combatants; conducting mine action work, and supporting the return of internally displaced persons and refugees.

Fourth, in more stable environments where peacekeeping has helped to reduce security challenges, the UN consistently re-evaluates and adapts its missions. This is to ensure the right kind of personnel and capacities are there to meet evolving challenges. It is also to ensure that missions are reduced and transitions are made in a responsible way. The withdrawal of UN peacekeeping from Timor-Leste in 2012 - after 13 years of peacekeeping and political mission support - is one example of these transitions. Others include Liberia and Haiti.

A final example of adaptation is found in partnerships. In order to address growing demands and capacity constraints, the United Nations has developed strong partnerships with organizations like the African Union, NATO, the European Union, ECOWAS and others. Partnerships are our future – not just for peacekeeping, but for the entire UN system.

Dear friends:
It is clear that in coming years, UN peacekeeping operations will continue to encounter significant political and operational challenges. These challenges will demand the continued flexibility of not only UN peacekeeping, but of the international community as a whole. Strengthened partnerships and a shared agenda are essential to ensure that peacekeeping will continue to adapt to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.


Thank you very much. I would now like to invite Mr. Attar-Bayrou to make his remarks.