Pakistan Mission to United Nations

Statement delivered at the Fourth Committeeby Deputy Permanent Representative Mohammad Aamir Khan, Agenda Item 52: Comprehensive Review of the Whole Question of Peacekeeping Operations in all their Aspect (6th November 2019)

Mr. Chairman,

My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Morocco on behalf of the NAM.

We would also like to thank Mr. Jean Pierre Lacroix, USG Department of Peace Operations,Mr. Atul Khare,USG Department of Operational Support and Ms. Catherine Pollard, USG Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance for their briefings earlier this week.

Mr. Chairman,

Over the decades Peacekeeping has become a pivotal toolin the UN’s efforts to defuse and manage conflicts that pose a threat to international peace and security.

The UN’s Blue Helmets have earned global respect, for their impartiality and dedication in protecting the most vulnerable in conflict zones, and by working for peace in the most protracted of conflicts.

But this recognition comes at a cost which all Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) have had to bear. Pakistan has lost 156 of its brave peacekeepers including a female peacekeeper while serving the cause of international peace and security. Such ultimate sacrifices borne only by personnel of the TCCs, cannot be calculated in dollars and cents.

Pakistan has been one of the largest and most consistent TCCs for close to six decades, contributing over 200,000 troops to UN peacekeeping, in 46 Missions. Our peacekeepers haveserved with honourand distinction, setting the highest standards of professionalism, efficacy and effectiveness.

Mr. Chairman,

The past years have seen an enhanced focus on performance and accountability in peacekeeping. Sadly, while expectations from peacekeeping have been on the rise this has also been accompanied by efforts to reduce resources for UN peacekeeping.

We are of the view that arbitrary cuts in funding of UN peacekeeping risks diminishing the effectiveness of missions.It enhances the threat to the safety and security of UN peacekeepers. Our objective should be to enhance capabilities. This cannot be achieved by reducing resources for peacekeeping. Providing less but expecting more is not a workable model for any enterprise.

Mr. Chairman,

In addition to being a TCC, Pakistan is also co-host one of the UN’s earliest missions – the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan. UNMOGIP continues to monitor the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, and we greatly value its vital role in maintaining peace and security.

Mr. Chairman,

As a major TCC, we fully and firmly stand behind the UN Secretariat in its efforts to generateessential capabilities, increase female participation and improve training for better results in the field.

In this regard, we are deploying critical enablers, including air assets, to a number of peacekeeping missions, and are participating in train-the-trainer programmes. We also offer a number of courses to peacekeepers at the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) in Islamabad.

Pakistanhas also met the targets set by the Secretariat on female participation. We deployed a female engagement team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, earlier this year. Our female peacekeepers serve alongside their male counterparts in the peacekeeping missions implementing mandates in some of the most complex missions.

Here, I would like to make six key points:

• One While we are fully supportive of a data based performance assessment system it must be appreciated that Peacekeeping begins with mandates which are formulated at the UN and associated resourcing decisions which are also made here at the UN. Mandates must be rational and adequately resourced. Even the best trained human resource and equipment would not able to deliver against unrealistic expectations.
• Two We could have the best trained peacekeepers and critical assets on the ground, but will not be able to utilize them optimally if difficult caveats or complicated mechanisms are involved in their deployment and operations. It is, therefore, imperative that all required assets are made fully available for utilization by the Mission as required by the ground situation.
• Three There is a lot of emphasis on TCCs pledging resources to the UN through the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness system (PCRS). However, upon closer examination, it is evident that the system needs to be reformed and brought up to speed. TCCs continue to pledge precious human resource and expensive equipment without any sign that deployment is in sight. This imposes costs on TCCs without purpose or recompense.
• Four Since there are several high risk missions, and scores of peacekeepers have lost their lives due to malicious attacks and mission related accidents, the provision of medical facilities must be the top priority when planning and resourcing a mission. Medico-Aviation mapping of all peacekeeping missions must be carried out at the earliest, beginning with the high risk missions.
• Five Peacekeeping missions, including those implementing multidimensional mandates, are on the ground to facilitate peacebuilding at all stages of conflict and assist in achieving sustainable peace. They can provide a window of opportunity to build peace; but they should not be expected to impose peace or negotiate political solutions.
• Six Both on policy and resourcing, the decisions taken at the Secretariat should be guided by inputs and requirements of the peacekeeping missions on the ground.

Mr. Chairman,

Peacekeeping is a shared responsibility. We all committed to perform our respective roles under the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) and we must all, in earnest, make good on that!

We look forward to constructive engagement from all parties at the COE working group and at C-34 negotiations in early 2020. Our common objective should be to ensure that each Mission is successful in executing its mandate.

As a consistent partner of the UN in peacekeeping, Pakistan will continue to engage with all stakeholders to develop the UN’s peacekeeping functions and enhance its ability to prevent conflict and human suffering and build peace and prosperity in the world’s troubled regions.

I thank you!