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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:
One,we cannot push unprepared and ill equipped peacekeepers to hot conflict situations. Our deployment decisions have to be based on consultation, preparation and knowledge of the ground situation. Triangular cooperation is critical for all three. As principal stakeholders, TCCs must be fully consulted in a timely manner and their suggestions must be taken on board, whether it is for designing mandates or testing out new ideas. A thorough review of the modalities of triangular cooperation is necessary to make the process effective.
Two, the Council needs to be more circumspect while mandating enforcement tasks. Peacekeepers should neither become a party to the conflict nor should they be perceived as a tool of external intervention by the local population and authorities.
Three protections of civilians, where mandated, remains critical. Our peacekeepers have and will continue to fulfill their responsibilities in this regard. Clearly defined mandates, would make this task easier.
Four, while TCCs deploy their personnel to dangerous situations, it does not take anything away from the criticality of ensuring safety and security of our peacekeepers. Use of modern equipment and technology, where it will help, should be considered.
Five, peacekeeping cannot be a standalone process. It works best when there is peace to keep and a political process to sustain it. Enhanced conflict prevention and mediation capabilities of the Secretariat will help in this.
Six, we fully support the Secretary General's policy of zero tolerance towards Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. Pakistan takes its responsibilities in this regard very seriously. We support an overarching General Assembly resolution addressing SEA issues comprehensively. Such a resolution could draw upon the work in the different committees, including the C-34 and the 5th Committee. It is also important to consult TCCs in the process of developing effective guidelines and mechanisms to stem this scourge.
Seven, the C-34 remains the most appropriate forum for discussing issues related to peacekeeping. Consensus among member states on important issues in the C-34 before embarking upon a new policy framework is therefore critical. Implementing streams of policy that have not been agreed to through an inter-governmental process must be avoided.
And last, but not the least, principles of Peacekeeping must continue to be accorded primacy. The edifice of peacekeeping was built on these principles and we see no reason not to adhere to them.
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.