UNITED NATIONS, Sept 26: Asserting that peacekeeping achievements are going far beyond keeping peace, United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said UN peacekeepers (blue helmets) are protecting millions of displaced people and supporting the delivery of life-saving humanitarian aid, sending a powerful message of international solidarity with the most vulnerable.
Mr Guetress made the remarks addressing Heads of State and Government on Tuesday, as he opened a High-Level meeting marking the 70th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping operations, at UN Headquarters in New York.
However, the peacekeepers face one overarching challenge of the gap between aspiration and reality.
Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative, launched by Mr Guterres in March this year, aims to bridge that gap by refocusing peacekeeping bearing in mind more realistic expectations; making missions stronger and safer; mobilising more political support; and providing better equipment and training for ‘blue helmets’. UN peace operations aspire for a greater push for political solutions, which enables the successful completion of missions, and the protection of civilians. The initiative, said Mr Guterres, is already becoming a reality, with independently-led reviews determining how the UN can better deliver on its mandates, including through more proactive, accountable missions; innovative approaches to training and equipment; and active steps to strengthen the role of women in peacekeeping. In context of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse, Mr Guterres said that these are being responded to more quickly, with more support for victims; and that the UN is now more effective in seeking justice. As of Tueday, the declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operations was endorsed by more than 146 governments, Mr Guteress said and urged more support for UN peacekeeping operations, including through predictable, adequate and sustainable financing, in order to make peacekeeping fit for the future.
(UNI)
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