S/2020/856 Security Council

In accordance with the procedure agreed upon by the members of the Security Council in the light of the extraordinary circumstances caused by the coronavirus disease pandemic, and as reflected in the letter dated 27 March 2020 from the President of the Security Council addressed to all members of the Council (S/2020/253), I would like to draw your attention to the following. The members of the Council have considered a draft resolution, submitted by Indonesia, in connection with the agenda item entitled “United Nations peacekeeping operations”. This draft resolution, contained in document S/2020/838, has been put into blue (see enclosure). With the understanding of members of the Council and in my capacity as President of the Security Council, I hereby put the above-mentioned draft resolution to a vote. The non-extendable 24-hour voting period for this draft resolution will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, 27 August 2020 and expire at 10 a.m. on Friday, 28 August 2020. Please submit your vote (in favour, against or abstention) on that draft resolution and possible explanation of vote by sending a letter to the Director of the Security Council Affairs Division of the Secretariat (egian@un.org) signed by the Permanent Representative or Chargé d’affaires a.i. within the non-extendable 24-hour voting period set out above. It is my intention to circulate a letter publishing the outcome of the vote within three hours of the conclusion of the 24-hour voting period. I also intend to convene a video-teleconference of the Security Council to announce the outcome of the vote shortly after the conclusion of the voting period, on Friday, 28 August 2020.

Indonesia welcomes the unanimous adoption of the resolution 2538 (2020), on women in peacekeeping operations. As the penholder, we thank all members of the Security Council for their support and constructive engagement during the negotiation process. We deeply appreciate all sponsoring States within the Council, as well as other Member States for their contribution and support for this resolution. The resolution represents an important milestone, since it is the first time that the Council has adopted a stand-alone resolution on the subject of women in peacekeeping operations. It reflects the high priority that the international community has accorded to the indispensable role of women in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Resolution 2538 (2020) recognizes the indispensable role of women in peacekeeping operations and calls upon the Member States, the Secretariat and regional organizations to strengthen their collective efforts to promote the full, effective and meaningful participation of uniformed and civilian women in peacekeeping operations at all levels and in all positions, including in senior leadership positions. It encourages strengthening partnerships to support targeted training and capacity-building for uniformed women personnel and the establishment of networks among women peacekeepers. It also urges Member States and the Secretariat to ensure a safe, enabling and gender-sensitive working environment for women in peacekeeping, including by providing them adequate and appropriate infrastructure and facilities. Indonesia’s initiative to promote this resolution is in line with our long- standing and strong commitment to supporting peacekeeping operations as well as the women and peace and security agenda. We are strongly committed to increasing the participation of our women in peacekeeping operations. Since 1999, more than 570 Indonesian women peacekeepers have been deployed in peacekeeping missions around the world. It is our firm belief that investing in women equals investing in peace. We hope that the Council will continue to work together with all countries and partners to translate the resolution into befitting outcomes.

The Russian Federation voted in favour of resolution 2538 (2020), on women in United Nations peacekeeping operations. We would like to express our appreciation to Indonesia, as the coordinator of the negotiations. Its efforts to strike a balance among the wide range of views of Council members made it possible to adopt the final document unanimously. We stress the importance of ensuring women’s meaningful participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, as well as equal opportunities and conditions for their involvement in peacekeeping activities. At the same time, we are convinced that this process requires a thoughtful approach, which makes it necessary to take into account the needs and security situation of each mission. The competitive advantages and required professional skills to implement mandated tasks also needs to be assessed. We also underline the importance of ensuring wide geographical representation when appointing women to leadership positions in peacekeeping operations. The primary responsibility for increasing the number of women in uniformed peacekeeping contingents lies with States. As such, we must consider the opinions and views of troop- and police-contributing countries in that regard, as well as each country’s approach to staffing.