Pakistan Mission to United Nations

Statement by Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Debate on Peacekeeping Operations (9 September 2019)

Let me begin by thanking the Russian Presidency for organizing this Debate, and Under Secretary General Jean-Pierre Lacroix for his briefing this morning.

Mr. President,

Over the decades Peacekeeping has become the UN's flagship enterprise, and one of its pivotal tools to manage complex conflicts that pose a threat to international peace and security.

Because of their hard work, dedication and sacrifice Blue Helmets are now acknowledged and respected all over the world as an indispensable instrument of the UN.

Mr. President,

We have seen an increasing focus on improving the performance of peacekeeping over the past year, through the normative framework, and in terms of concepts such as agility and protection through projection, that are heavily reliant on additional expectations from Troop Contribution Countries (TCCs). It is after all the TCCs that are expected to provide equipment, impart adequate training, as well as ready them with the appropriate mindsets.

Pakistan has been a consistent and reliable TCC since 1960. We have contributed over 200,000 troops to 46 missions so far.

Additionally, we are also host one of the oldest Peacekeeping Missions, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), that monitors the situation on either side of the Line of Control in the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

UNMOGIP's role and importance has increased dramatically since India's illegal de facto annexation of occupied Jammu and Kashmir on 5 August, in flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. Its efficacy has also become consequential due to mounting ceasefire violations by Indian forces, which necessitates regular and formal reporting to the Council.

We appreciate the role UNMOGIP plays in maintaining regional stability. We also welcome the update on UNMOGIP provided by the Department of Peace Operations to the Security Council in its meeting on Jammu and Kashmir on 16 August.

It is important that the Council continues to closely monitor the situation, and also starts exploring options to strengthen UNMOGIP, and ensure that India also allows it the requisite freedom of access and movement, in order for it to fulfill its mandate.

Mr. President,

As a major TCC, we fully understand the rationale behind generating critical capabilities, increasing female participation and improving training.

Pakistan has met the UN's targets on female participation, and also recently deployed a female engagement team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

We are also deploying critical enablers, including air assets to a number of peacekeeping missions, and are participating in train-the-trainer programmes.

Allow me to make six key points here:

• One, even the best training and equipment cannot be expected to deliver in the face of unrealistic expectations. We could have the best trained force and critical assets on ground, but not be able to optimally utilize them either due to caveats or mechanisms involved in their deployment. It is therefore imperative that all assets are available for utilization as the on ground situation warrants.
• Two, performance assessments must start with scrutinizing mandates and the adequacy of resources actually available to TCCs. The Secretariat bears the responsibility of providing pragmatic and realistic analysis of the situation, in terms of political environment, resource gaps and possible exit strategies. This information then needs to be reflected by the Council in mandates.
• Three, delays in deployment must be removed to ensure that TCCs do not become victims of double jeopardy; committed assets cannot be deployed for national demands, and delays mean they are not even being reimbursed.
• Four, peacekeeping is a shared responsibility. As we all committed in the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) declaration, we must fulfill our respective roles.
• Five, rather than focus just on cutting costs and troop numbers, operations must dictate logistics, and not the other way around, and
• Six, peacekeeping missions, especially those with multidimensional mandates, are on the ground to facilitate peacebuilding at all stages of conflict, and assist in achieving sustainable peace. Peacekeepers cannot therefore be there to negotiate political solutions or enforce peace.

Mr. President,

We look forward to working with all stakeholders for our common objective of improving peacekeeping outcomes. The burden of responsibility should however be shared equitably to achieve the results we all want.

I thank you.