Statement by Mr. Nabeel Munir, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan at the Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee on “Comprehensive Review of the whole question of Peacekeeping” (25 October 2016)

Mr. Chairman,

We would like to extend our appreciation for the briefings by USGs Herve Ladsous and Atul Khare.

We align ourselves with the statement made by Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

Mr. Chairman,

As a leading troop and police contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, Pakistan has volunteered over 150,000 of its bravest, who have served with pride and distinction in 41 Missions in 23 countries since 1960.

Our peacekeepers have worked in diverse and difficult conflict and post conflict situations. Pakistan has also been a pioneer in embracing the United Nations Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (UNPCRS)

We also host one of the UN’s earliest peacekeeping missions, UNMOGIP, which continues to monitor the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, a task that we greatly value for its contribution to peace and security in our region.

Mr. Chairman,

The 70th Session of the UNGA was groundbreaking for UN peacekeeping. We collectively undertook and completed reviews of peacekeeping as well as peacebuilding. Deliberations in the C-34 then focused on efficient and realistic implementation of recommendations in the reports of the Secretary General and the High Level Panels.

We have indeed come a long way since the first peacekeeping mission was deployed. From simple ceasefire monitoring, modern peacekeeping has evolved into multidimensional missions that address political, security, humanitarian and development dimensions of complex crises, and often also ensure implementation of comprehensive peace agreements.

These innovations, coupled with the increasingly volatile environments into which we send our peacekeepers, have brought out gaps in technology and capabilities; gaps that need to be filled to maintain the level of excellence and confidence that UN peacekeepers have enjoyed over the last seven decades. The Security Council and the UN Secretariat need to work closely with the Troop and Police Contributing Countries to achieve this objective.

Mr. Chairman,

With the history of our commitment to this flagship UN enterprise, we have the weight of experience behind us when we speak about this subject. We consider it a collective endeavour and are fully invested in its success.

Some additional points that we would like to make are:

Mr. Chairman,

Pakistan considers UN peacekeeping a flagship enterprise for maintenance of international peace and security. Blue helmets are a source of pride for the UN and indeed for all of us as TCCs. Those caught in the throes of conflict see them as guarantors of peace and harbingers of stability. Their hands should be strengthened and their successes appreciated.

I thank you.