Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council Briefing on 'Advancing adaptability in United Nations peace operations: responding to new realities'
Thank you, Mr. President, Your Excellency Mr. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.
Guyana thanks Denmark for organizing this meeting. Indeed, it is most relevant as it comes at a time when UN peace operations’ efficacy is being tested in the 11 ongoing Missions around the globe.
I also thank the Secretary-General and Mrs. Jenna Russo for their informative briefs. Your insights provide greater clarity on the issues facing peace operations and our peacekeepers.
Mr. President,
The maintenance of international peace and security remains a core function of the United Nations. Indeed, the raison d’etre for the UN was to prevent future global conflicts. However, the global landscape has evolved dramatically, with conflicts becoming increasingly complex, protracted, and often driven by non-state actors, including transnational criminal networks.
Threat multipliers such as climate change, food insecurity and increased demand for natural resources; and the use of technology for misinformation and disinformation, further exacerbate the situation.
Recently we have heard reports of UN Peace Operations being outmanned and outgunned, with the rules of engagement not suitable for the challenges at hand. At the same time, the UN must continue to be the standard bearer of international best practices.
Mr. President,
We need not look further than these last three months for testimony to this rapid evolution in the global peace and security landscape. The events in MONUSCO’s Area of Operation in the DRC, which saw the incursion and takeover of major cities in Eastern DRC and disarming of UN Peacekeepers by the M23, the direct attacks on UN Peacekeepers, and, alarmingly, the unlawful detention of UNISFA’s peacekeepers and civilian contractors by the Rapid Support Forces on the 28 February, and the March 7 attack on the UNMISS helicopter in Nasir, South Sudan, which claimed the lives of, among others, one UNMISS personnel and injured 2 others.
These evolving challenges demand a corresponding evolution in UN Peace Operations, ensuring their adaptability and effectiveness in fulfilling their mandates. Guyana recognizes the crucial role UN Peace Operations play in conflict prevention, peacemaking, and peacebuilding. We believe that ensuring their adaptability requires a multi-faceted approach, and suggest the following 5 key areas:
First, Enhanced Partnerships: Effective peace operations necessitate strong partnerships. This includes deeper collaboration with regional organizations, such as the African Union and, in our own region, CARICOM, leveraging their unique understanding of local contexts. We must also strengthen partnerships with host countries, ensuring their ownership and engagement in the peace process. Furthermore, collaboration with civil society organizations, including women and youth, is vital for inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding.
Second, Improved Mandates and Resource Allocation: Mandates must be clear, realistic, and adaptable to the specific context. They must be informed by thorough conflict analysis and consider the long-term peacebuilding needs. Critically, mandates must be matched with adequate resources – both financial and human. We reiterate the importance of predictable and sustainable funding for peace operations, allowing for long-term planning and effective implementation.
Third, Strengthening Peacekeeping Capabilities: Peacekeepers must be adequately trained and equipped to address the complex challenges they face. This includes specialized training on issues such as protection of civilians, conflict-related sexual violence, and the rule of law. We also emphasize the importance of incorporating new technologies, such as unmanned aerial systems and data analytics, to enhance situational awareness and improve operational effectiveness.
Fourth, Prioritizing Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace: Peace operations must move beyond simply maintaining a fragile peace and focus on building long-term resilience. This requires a greater emphasis on peacebuilding activities, including promoting inclusive governance, strengthening the rule of law, supporting economic development, and addressing the root causes of conflict. We must invest in sustaining peace, ensuring that the gains made are not reversed.
This also requires that peace operations must go hand in hand with a path to a political solution. Peace operations are not an end in themselves. They are meant to be temporary. As such, they must be matched with the required political efforts which are periodically assessed, so that the mandates are not constantly extended amidst protracted political stalemate, where the Mission can eventually become fodder when responsibility is assigned and even asked to leave prematurely.
Fifth and final, Promoting Inclusivity and Gender Equality: The meaningful participation of women in all aspects of peace operations is essential. We must ensure that women are represented at all levels, from peacekeeping forces to peace negotiations. Furthermore, peace operations must be sensitive to the specific needs of women and girls, and be adequately resourced to address issues such as conflict-related sexual violence.
Mr. President,
In closing, Guyana believes that a reformed and adaptable UN peace operations architecture is crucial for maintaining international peace and security. We therefore welcome the potential new models of Peacekeeping Operations which will be the focus of the upcoming Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial Meeting. We stand ready to work with all member states to strengthen UN peace operations and ensure their continued relevance in the face of evolving global challenges. We commend the Secretary-General’s efforts in this regard and reiterate our commitment to supporting his vision for a more effective and responsive United Nations.
Finally, we pay tribute to the UN peacekeepers who have paid the ultimate price in the maintenance of international peace and security and express our sincerest condolences to their families, and the Government and people of the countries from which they hail.
I thank you.
