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President Barak Obama,
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We thank President Obama for his important initiative of convening this Summit, and appreciate the presence of other world leaders here today.
Blue Helmets are recognized as a symbol of peace all over the world. It is the peacekeepers on ground who help the United Nations carry out its primary responsibility of saving the world from the scourge of war.
This gathering today has reaffirmed the commitment of the international community to United Nations Peacekeeping. Together, we salute the brave men and women who have served with distinction under the UN flag over the years. We pay homage to those who have sacrificed their lives in this noble cause.
Mr. President,
This is a seminal year for peacekeeping. UN Peacekeeping, despite numerous successes, faces new challenges in a rapidly changing strategic scenario. There is need for mobilization of resources to retain peacekeeping as an effective tool for the maintenance of international peace and security.
The landmark report prepared by the High-Level Panel was followed by the Report of the Secretary General. These reports have discussed at length the challenges faced by modern peacekeeping and have put forth valuable recommendations.
Pakistan has been fully engaged with the High-Level Panel, and the ensuing process. Many of our recommendations resonated in both the Panel and the Secretary General's reports. These included the importance of consultations with Troop Contributing Countries; provision of better resources for peacekeeping operations; a two-phased mandate process; and the principle of not using peacekeepers for counterterrorism.
Excellencies,
Pakistan has consistently figured among the top troop contributors to the United Nations. We have also been at the forefront of norm setting in peacekeeping. Resolution 2086 on Multidimensional Peacekeeping, adopted under Pakistan's Presidency of the Security Council in January 2013, is considered a landmark achievement.
Our professional, well-trained and competent peacekeepers have never shied away from mandated tasks. They are deployed in the most difficult theatres, staying the course in Liberia, even during the Ebola outbreak.
Pakistan has always supported efforts for reform and strengthening of the UN peacekeeping architecture to enable the organization to better meet the requirements of a continuously evolving security situation.
Excellencies,
Pakistan welcomes the fine tuned initiative of UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. We shall continue to contribute highly professional peacekeeping personnel, ranging from infantry to guard units, and we will continue to provide the UN amongst our best military commanders, staff officers and military observers. Pakistan also remains committed to contribute to UN police requirements in the future.
Recognizing the critical importance of enablers, we would continue deployment of precious assets like utility aviation, airport management facilities, signals communication units, transport, maintenance and logistics units, and field hospitals, alongside affordable field solutions to ensure rapid deployment.
Specifically, we are pledging an Infantry Battalion; Transport, Engineering and Signals companies; additional utility helicopters; a Level-II and a Level-III Hospital; and a Canine Platoon for deployment to future UN peacekeeping missions.
We consider modern technology an important component of peacekeeping today. We, therefore, also commit to providing Surveillance Unmanned Unarmed Aerial Vehicles to enhance the capabilities related to protection of civilians and military personnel.
It is also our privilege to share our experiences in the field of peacekeeping with member states. Pakistan has institutionalized a formal peacekeeping training regime in line with UN training objectives. We will continue to offer to the UN our Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) for the conduct of regular peacekeeping courses, workshops and seminars.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Let me conclude by saying that despite challenging circumstances, our commitment to UN peacekeeping is firm. We shall work together to ensure the success of this collective endeavour.
I thank you.