Beneath-Secretary-Normal Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Assistant Secretary-Normal Marta Pobee briefed the Council on priorities for adapting UN peace operations to foster political options.
They emphasised the pressing want for the Council and the broader UN membership to beat divisions and strengthen help for peace operations as distinctive platforms for advancing diplomacy in battle zones.
“Peacekeeping missions typically function in extremely risky environments, the place political processes are stalled, belief amongst battle events is low and humanitarian circumstances dire,” Mr. Lacroix mentioned.
“Progress is incremental, fragile and uneven. A breakthrough in a single second could also be adopted by setbacks the following. But, even modest beneficial properties will be vital in stopping a relapse into widespread violence and saving lives.”
He pointed to missions which have made measurable contributions to peace processes, similar to MINUSCA within the Central African Republic (CAR), which helped dealer the 2019 Political Settlement and launched disarmament efforts, or MONUSCO within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which contributed to decreased violence throughout the 2023 elections.
Safety Council unity essential
Mr. Lacroix burdened that political coherence and unity amongst Security Council members are important for missions to grasp their potential.
With out “robust, united political help”, he warned, peace operations are restricted to managing conflicts and defending civilians reasonably than supporting sturdy peace agreements.
The Council’s position, he added, should lengthen past mandate authorisation to sustained political engagement. He cited the unanimous adoption of decision 2773 in February 2025 on the DRC for example of Council unity reinforcing diplomatic efforts on the bottom.
UN peacekeeping missions, such because the one in Mali (MINUSMA, 2013-23), have needed to adapt to complicated challenges, together with harsh setting and myriad armed teams.
Discipline management and adaptability
Mr. Lacroix additionally highlighted the significance of dynamic mission management, calling on senior officers to function “steadfast ambassadors for peace” who preserve belief with host governments and battle actors whereas adapting to shifting political contexts.
He underscored the significance of regional partnerships, significantly with the African Union (AU). Decision 2719 (2023), which permits assessed contributions for AU-led operations, was described as a “historic milestone” in UN-AU collaboration.
“Leveraging the investments of troop- and police-contributing international locations extra purposefully is vital,” he added, noting the instance of Pakistan’s twin position as a serious troop contributor and elected Safety Council member.
Classes from the chilly battle
Ms. Pobee’s briefing strengthened these themes whereas providing historic perspective.
She recalled how throughout the chilly battle, regardless of international tensions, UN particular political missions facilitated peaceable dispute decision, similar to diplomatic efforts in Equatorial Guinea in 1969, Bahrain in 1970 and the border dispute between Iraq and Iran in 1974.
She recognized a number of key components behind these successes: clearly targeted, timebound mandates; the pro-active use of the Secretary-Normal’s good places of work; discreet diplomacy and crucially, consent from host governments and battle events.
This basis of belief, she famous, is more and more absent in the present day, representing a “belief deficit” that complicates peace efforts.
UN particular political missions in publish‑battle settings, such because the mission in Nepal (UNMIN, 2007-11) assist preserve stability, dialogue and help democratic processes.
A novel software
Each briefers acknowledged the tough international context, with deepening Safety Council divisions, eroding norms and more and more complicated conflicts involving non-State actors, organized crime and climate-driven dangers.
Nonetheless, peace operations, with their mixture of civilian and uniformed capabilities, stay indispensable for stabilising fragile settings and enabling political dialogue, they maintained. The longstanding mission in Cyprus was cited for example of how sustained UN presence can stop escalation, even amid persistent impasse.
Mr. Lacroix additionally urged Member States to pay assessed contributions on time, warning that inadequate sources undermine missions’ capability to fulfil their mandates.
Ms. Pobee added that the UN has repeatedly navigated polarised eras earlier than.
“We now have been there…however, one clear lesson is that amid acute geopolitical tensions, peace operations have helped Member States mount tailor-made responses to challenges to worldwide peace and safety,” she mentioned.
