Presenting the UN’s first comprehensive review of all forms of peace operations to the General Assembly, Guterres said peacekeeping missions, political missions and peace support operations remain essential tools for maintaining international peace and security. “UN peace operations are indispensable tools for maintaining international peace and security, but to be more effective, they must adapt to new realities,” Guterres said.
Guterres highlighted several achievements by UN missions over the decades, including support for democratic elections in Mozambique and Cambodia, assistance with Namibia’s transition to independence and the disarmament of thousands of child soldiers in Sierra Leone.
The review was commissioned under the Pact for the Future and assesses how UN peace operations can respond more effectively to increasingly complex conflicts.
According to Guterres, today’s conflicts are more fragmented, peace agreements are less common and international support for peacekeeping is under growing financial pressure.
The review notes that UN peacekeeping budgets have been reduced by nearly $500 million, while special political missions have faced cuts of approximately $96.3 million.
Guterres said peace operations cannot succeed without political commitment from the parties involved in conflicts and sustained backing from UN member states. “No peace operation and no political process supported by the UN can succeed without solid and cohesive support from Member States,” Guterres said.
The report covers a wide range of UN activities, including peacekeeping operations, special political missions and Security Council-authorised peace enforcement operations.
Currently, the UN has 11 active peacekeeping missions around the world, while around 40 special political missions remain operational.
Guterres said missions must become more focused, adaptable and cost-effective.
Among the recommendations are creating lighter and more mobile mission structures, improving data collection and threat analysis, strengthening protection against drones and disinformation campaigns and enhancing accountability.
The review also calls for clearer mandates, stronger partnerships with host governments and regional organisations, and the development of exit strategies from the outset of missions.
Guterres pointed to UN-supported peace efforts in Colombia and the peaceful resolution of the Cameroon-Nigeria border dispute as examples of what can be achieved when political conditions are favourable.
The report recommends that future missions be deployed only where there is a credible political process and realistic prospects for advancing peace. “Together, we must build a shared vision of what each mission can achieve throughout its life cycle,” Guterres said.
Guterres argued that despite their challenges and limitations, UN peace operations remain an essential instrument for reducing violence, protecting civilians and creating conditions for lasting peace.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
