Statement delivered by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations at Security Council Briefing on 'United Nations peacekeeping operations: Police Commissioners'
Mr. President,
I thank USG Lacroix for his briefing, UN Police Advisor Shahkar, Police Commissioner Bizimungu and Senior Police Advisor Xu for their briefings.
Guyana pays tribute to the UN Police for their crucial role in peacekeeping. Their contribution to the protection of civilians, deterrence of violence, enabling of other military and civilian Mission components, and capacity building in today’s challenging environment is critical to the successes of peacekeeping Missions and the overall goal of maintaining international peace and security. Police commissioners, as leaders of the police contingents, bear significant responsibility in ensuring the effectiveness and professionalism of their personnel. Their leadership is paramount in fostering a culture of respect for human rights, upholding the rule of law, and building trust with host communities.
It is against this backdrop, Mr. President, that Guyana highlights the importance of the following five elements in keeping UN Police fit for purpose:
1. Strengthening Recruitment and Training: The selection and training of Police Commissioners and their teams must prioritize not only technical skills but also critical
competencies in human rights, gender sensitivity, conflict resolution, and inter-cultural communication. Pre-deployment training must be comprehensive and context-specific, equipping personnel to effectively navigate the complex challenges of modern peacekeeping environments. We encourage the UN to continue investing in robust training programmes and to explore innovative approaches, in order to better prepare contingents for the realities of the tasks ahead.
2. Promoting Accountability and Transparency: Accountability for misconduct is essential to maintaining the integrity of UN peacekeeping operations. Robust mechanisms for investigating allegations of wrongdoing and ensuring timely and appropriate disciplinary action are crucial. We underscore the importance of transparency in these processes to build public confidence and prevent impunity. We also encourage the UN to strengthen its collaboration with Member States in addressing these issues effectively.
3. Enhancing Collaboration and Coordination: Effective peacekeeping requires seamless collaboration and coordination among all mission components, including military, civilian, and police elements. Police commissioners play a vital role in fostering this integrated approach, working closely with their counterparts to achieve shared objectives. We encourage the UN to further enhance mechanisms for information sharing and joint planning to ensure a cohesive and coordinated response to evolving challenges.
4. Prioritizing Community Engagement: Building trust with host communities is fundamental to the success of peacekeeping operations. Police Commissioners should prioritize community engagement strategies that promote dialogue, address local concerns, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for peace and security. This includes working closely with local authorities, civil society organizations, and community leaders to understand the specific needs and vulnerabilities of the population.
5. Striving for Gender Parity: We reiterate the importance of achieving gender parity at all levels of peacekeeping operations, including within police contingents. The participation of women in policing roles brings diverse perspectives and contributes to more effective responses to the needs of all members of the community. We encourage Member States to increase the deployment of female police officers and support the UN's efforts to create a more inclusive and gender-sensitive peacekeeping environment.
Mr. President,
Guyana remains committed to supporting the UN's efforts to strengthen peacekeeping operations and enhance the role of Police Commissioners in achieving lasting peace and security. We believe that by working together, we can create a more effective and responsive peacekeeping architecture that is capable of addressing the complex challenges of our time.
I thank you.
