Statement delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN during the UNSC briefing on UN Peace Operations Heads of Military Components

Thank you, Mr. President,

I commend the French Presidency for organizing this briefing on the vital role of UN Peacekeeping Operations in monitoring ceasefires. This briefing is timely, particularly in light of the Pact of the Future’s emphasis on adapting peacekeeping to meet contemporary challenges and ahead of the Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial next month.

I thank USG LaCroix, and Generals Lazaro and Gomes for their informative briefs. We now have a greater understanding of the challenges our Peacekeepers face in executing their mandates, and possible solutions particularly as they relate to monitoring ceasefires.

Drawing from the experiences of UNIFIL, advancing the capability and adaptability of this aspect of Peacekeeping Operations demands thoughtful consideration and innovation. In this regard, Guyana offers the following 5 reflections in response to the guiding questions posed for this meeting:

First, the Role of Technology – as already mentioned by our briefers, over a decade since the Expert Panel on Technology and Innovation in United Nations Peacekeeping first examined the question of the use of technology in the peacekeeping domain, many of their recommendations remain valid. Guyana continues to emphasize the transformative potential of modern technology in ceasefire monitoring and believes that the integration of advanced surveillance equipment, such as drones, satellite imagery, and ground sensors, would significantly improve operational efficiency and situational awareness while also reducing the risk of personal harm to personnel on the ground. With a reported increase in hostile acts affecting missions and growing impediments to physical monitoring, missions can increasingly rely on technology to overcome certain obstacles, as well as extend the range of monitoring and increase the pace of data synthesis.

While technology cannot replace all of the tasks that peacekeepers carry out in ceasefire monitoring and verification, it can certainly enhance the efficiency of their work and the safety and security of mission personnel. Notwithstanding the benefits outlined, Guyana also stresses the importance of ensuring that the introduction of new technologies is done in a manner that respects human rights and international law, and the sovereignty of the host states.

Second, Adapting to New Threats – the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation presents unique challenges to UN peacekeeping efforts. Often, these are politically motivated and can exacerbate the gap between local perceptions and expectations about peacekeeping missions and the mission’s actual mandate and capabilities. Guyana advocates for the development of robust public information strategies, including leveraging social media and other platforms suitable to the local environment, and boosting engagements and partnerships with local communities to counter these threats effectively.

A good example of this was the launching of radio stations by some missions, such as MINUSCA’s Radio Guira, MONUSCO’s Radio Okapi, and UNMISS’ Radio Miraya, to counter the spread of negative narratives.. The use of radio stations and other media platforms has proven effective in highlighting the successes of UN Peacekeeping Missions, allowing them to provide greater clarity about their mandates and bridge any trust deficits with local populations.

Third, Host State Consent and Long-term Impact – maintaining the consent of the Host State and confidence of the population are paramount for the success of any Peacekeeping Operation. Ceasefire monitoring mandates must be implemented in a manner that respects the sovereignty of the Host State and address the needs of the local communities. Long-term sustainability requires building local capacity and fostering inclusiveness in the peace processes, thereby empowering host states to assume responsibility for their own security.

In Lebanon, Cyprus, and other areas of peacekeeping operations, missions play a crucial role in governments’ expansion of authority, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting community development. These successes must be commended and become the standard for all Peacekeeping Operations.

Fourth, the Role of Parties to Conflict – effective ceasefire monitoring necessitates the active participation and cooperation of all parties to a conflict, including the Host State. There must be clear communication channels and mechanisms for dialogue to address violations and build trust. In this regard, the UN must ensure that the parties actively participate in the ceasefire monitoring process to reinforce ownership and accountability, thus contributing to the success of Peacekeeping efforts. We call upon all parties to the existing ceasefire agreements to demonstrate the political will to participate and with the required flexibility to make the processes work as intended.

Fifth and final, Strengthening Partnerships – partnerships are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of ceasefire monitoring. Deeper collaboration with regional and sub-regional organizations, such as the African Union, and with civil society, including women and youth, can provide valuable support and expertise. We must promote local ownership of the ceasefire monitoring process by empowering local communities to play a central role, leveraging their networks and resources to enhance monitoring capacities. We must also continue to engage the Troop and Police Contributing Countries and the financial contributors, as these partnerships are essential to ensuring that Peacekeeping Operations have the necessary resources and capabilities to guarantee their success.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, Guyana remains committed to the vision of UN Peacekeeping as a dynamic and adaptable instrument of the United Nations. We are confident that through collective action, the Council can help to address the current challenges and strengthen the ability of Peacekeeping Operations to fulfill their mandates effectively.

Thank you.