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Mr. Chairman
The extensive briefings by Under-Secretaries-General Herve Ladsous and Ameerah Haq yesterday have set the tone for our discussion.
Pakistan appreciates their leadership of peacekeep-ing, the flagship activity of the United Nations.
Pakistan associates itself with the statement by the representative of Egypt on behalf of NAM.
As the leading participant in UN peacekeeping mis-sions, Pakistan has a vital stake in the effectiveness and success of this endeavour.
Pakistan is host to one of the first peacekeeping mis-sions, UNMOGIP, which continues to observe ceasefire along the line of control in Jammu and Kashmir.
When we speak in this forum, we do so with over five decades of experience and expertise, profes-sional excellence, dedication and sacrifice of our men and women in the field, as well as our sustained engagement at the policy level here in New York. This is Pakistan’s contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, to which we remain deeply committed.
Mr. Chairman,
UN peacekeeping missions are operating in an evolving context, which has become increasingly complex, demanding and often perilous. Expecta-tions from peacekeeping are also on the rise. To en-sure continued success, we need to work together on several fronts.
The operational and policy challenges facing peace-keeping today are such that can effectively be ad-dressed only through collective action.
We also need to maintain the international character of UN peacekeeping while developing regional ca-pacities. More importantly, compartmentalization of roles – as troop or financial contributors or policy-makers – is no longer tenable. Developed countries and others with requisite capacities must also shoul-der the responsibility. On the other hand, troop-contributing countries must have a greater say in policy matters and decision-making.
For increased effectiveness, there should be greater coherence between those who formulate mission mandates and those who implement them. It is high time to impart real meaning to this partnership.
It is clear that policy-making and review of all as-pects of peacekeeping is the domain of Member States. Relevant fora must be fully utilized for this purpose.
Given the challenges faced by peacekeeping, it is unacceptable that the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations (C-34) could not carry out sub-stantive work due to trivial matters of procedure. We hope this anomaly will soon be overcome and that members would engage fully and constructively in the Committee’s forthcoming session.
We should also strengthen and make the best use of mechanisms for cooperation between the TCCs, the Security Council and the Secretariat.
Important additional measures have been recently agreed in this regard by the Security Council. As Chair of the Security Council’s Working Group on Peacekeeping, Pakistan has also engaged TCCs and PCCs in its numerous meetings this year.
Multi-dimensional missions play a key role in help-ing restore peace and stability in complex crises. A major chunk of UN’s peacekeeping resources is also allocated to these missions.
Logically, there is much interest and concerted effort to enhance their effectiveness. Pakistan has contrib-uted to these efforts both inside and outside the Se-curity Council.
Resolution 2086 adopted during Pakistan’s Presi-dency of the Council in January, focused on multi-dimensional approach to peacekeeping. It was the first comprehensive resolution of the Council on peacekeeping in over a decade.
Mr. Chairman,
There are some fundamental issues that we need to tackle, address and clarify.
One such issue is use of force, which comes up mostly in the context of mandates related to protec-tion of civilians in armed conflict.
Here, it is important to note that many of the com-plex mandates of UN missions including POC have been carried out in conformity with the basic princi-ples of peacekeeping i.e. consent of the parties, im-partiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense or defense of the mandate.
In order to retain the credibility, legitimacy and gen-eral acceptance associated with UN peacekeeping, we believe it is necessary to maintain this distinction between peacekeeping and peace enforcement.
Use of force in UN peacekeeping must continue to be only at the tactical level, in accordance with the basic principles, and with clear guidelines and com-mand and control. Use of force, is not, however, a solution to the problem. Peacekeepers cannot afford to be perceived as combatants.
Offensive operations in any case require many more troops and additional resources. The intervention brigade deployed in the DRC in accordance with Resolution 2098 is an exception and a temporary measure. It should not become a norm .
We need to see how we can best promote the objec-tives of POC through prevention and effective pa-trolling and enhancing support for the host authori-ties to help create an enabling environment for pro-tection.
Missions must be provided with adequate capacities and resources to form credible deterrence against spoilers. This is difficult to achieve in thinly stretched and under resourced missions.
Sufficiently staffed and resourced missions are also the best guarantee for safety and security of troops and personnel in the field, which is an issue of par-amount importance for us.
The increased frequency of attacks against UN mis-sions and personnel in recent months is a matter of grave concern. These acts are condemnable and to-tally unacceptable. Most of these attacks have taken place in complex missions, This is yet another rea-son to look deeply into their causes and to take nec-essary measures to prevent their recurrence.
Agreed use of new technologies can help advance our objectives of more effective peacekeeping. In-troduction of new technologies enhances missions’ resources and capacities including for information gathering, intelligence and surveillance, which also contribute to safety and security.
Pakistan supports and is actively engaged with the Senior Advisory Group process on troop reim-bursement. We are of the view that that there is merit in mitigating the tactical level aspects and focusing more on the end result.
Pre-deployment training, preparation and profes-sional competence of peacekeepers are key to suc-cess in the field. Pakistan has an elaborate system of quality training, which has now been institutional-ized through the establishment of Centre of Interna-tional Peace and Stability (CIPS), which was inau-gurated by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Au-gust.
Mr. Chairman,
In order to attain durable peace, political processes must accompany peacekeeping efforts. This is essen-tial for credible exit strategies.
In intra-state conflicts, capacity building of host countries and peace-building are indispensable for successful transitions.
We must also do more to resolve the long-standing inter-state conflicts and disputes on the UN’s agen-da, for without this, our success will remain incom-plete and peace unachieved.
Mr. Chairman,
Going forward, we should continue a frank dialogue on the strategic direction of UN peacekeeping. UN missions and other operations authorized by the Se-curity Council have taken a variety of formats, com-binations and composition. These impinge on policy, operational, financial and other issues. These trends and developments need a steady analysis to consider the various pros and cons especially in terms of sus-tainability and impact on mandate delivery.
Building on previous initiatives, we should also con-tinue to pursue reform and innovation to strengthen the UN peacekeeping architecture. Joining hands to make peacekeeping work even better is the best form of tribute we can pay to our men and women who continue to serve this noble cause with devotion and their sweat and blood.
I thank you.