S/PV.6153Resumption1 Security Council

The President: I wish to remind all speakers, as I indicated at the morning session, to limit, if possible, their statements to no more than five minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate the texts in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber. Before I start giving the floor, I would like to welcome our new Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support, Mr. Anthony Banbury. He has joined us in the Secretariat and today in the Security Council. I welcome him and wish him continued success. I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Ms. Dunlop (Brazil): I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for the invitation to participate in this debate, which is very timely. I also thank Under- Secretaries-General Mr. Alain Le Roy and Ms. Susana Malcorra for their informative briefings. The considerable increase in the number of deployed peacekeepers and the greater complexity of missions show that Governments and peoples worldwide trust United Nations peacekeeping operations. Such constancy is a major political asset. It reflects the observance of the principles of impartiality, the consent of the parties and the use of force in self- defence or in the implementation of a mandate. However, those same features of today's operations - larger contingents and greater complexity - pose several challenges to the Organization and its Member States. Chief among them is the need for the Security Council to provide sustained political attention and guidance, not only to missions with acute responsibilities and needs but also to the peace processes that they are requested to support. As we all know, peacekeeping is no substitute for the political processes by which parties to disputes must resolve their differences, nor can or should the international community lead national reconstruction or development efforts. But support for and attention to such efforts are crucial, not only for the countries themselves but also for the long-term sustainability of United Nations missions. The above is also relevant to dealing with another significant challenge, namely the scarcity of troop- contributing countries. There is a real need to identify new contributors, to encourage former contributors to resume contributions and to persuade present ones to increase their contributions. Brazil has heeded the call. Since 2004, it has multiplied its contribution tenfold, compared to a fourfold increase in the overall number of United Nations peacekeeping troops. It is worth noting that more than 80 per cent of the troops in United Nations missions today come from developing countries. It is crucial that the general membership participate in the collective response to meet the increased demand for United Nations peacekeeping. Although it is important to recognize those challenges, it is equally necessary to refrain from generating the sense of an impending crisis in peacekeeping or from raising doubts about the ability of the Organization to face such challenges. Rather, we should strive to reform what must be reformed in a systematic, inclusive and transparent manner, without dispersing efforts in too many initiatives, however well intended. We should also focus on the full implementation of decisions that have already been taken. In particular, it does not seem appropriate to speak of a financial crisis in peacekeeping. It is true that the budget has increased considerably and that that is certainly a burden on all Member States. However, higher financial costs are but the logical consequence of establishing new missions and enlarging existing ones, which, in turn, derives from decisions made in the Council. In adopting resolutions, members are obviously aware of the financial consequences. They should ensure, in the Fifth Committee, that missions receive the resources needed to implement their mandates. Closing missions that are needed or avoiding establishing missions that the Council considers necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security do not seem to be judicious responses to the financial problem. Rather, host countries and the United Nations must work together to create the conditions that will allow for the timely drawdown and closing of missions. In other words, firm commitment by the host country to overcome the causes of conflict, with the concurrent support of the United Nations, will 09-3860] help to achieve or restore political stability and security sooner rather later. At the same time, it is important that the Security Council continue to focus on drafting mandates that are consistent with the needs on the ground. In that connection, I would like to make a brief but important conceptual remark. Brazil believes that the expression "financial contributors" should not be used in connection with peacekeeping, as it is contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Charter. All Member States contribute to the budget in accordance with their capacity to pay. On an issue directly linked to international peace and security that is in the interest of the entire membership, no hierarchies should be established or encouraged. Brazil's experience as a troop-contributing country started in the 1940s. Since then, it has involved almost 30,000 troops. Our most recent contribution, in Haiti, has confirmed our understanding that military and police activities are insufficient to build long-term stability. Sustainable peace requires that a peacekeeping mission also assist in supporting national reconciliation, strengthening national institutions and promoting development. Our experience also indicates that close interaction between the Security Council and TCCs is essential. Resolution 1353 (2001) established a wide range of mechanisms for consultation with troop-contributing countries. In our current reform efforts, it is preferable to improve those mechanisms rather than to invent new ones. The key for a mutually beneficial relationship between the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop-contributing countries is to give their views extensive consideration. First and foremost, that should translate into making better use of the discussions held in meetings prior to the renewal of mandates. It behoves the Council to show the political will to mainstream suggestions and perspectives derived from the valuable experience of TCCs. That is crucial to ensure a convergence between the Council and the countries with responsibilities on the ground. It is also relevant to increase ownership of peacekeeping on the part of States ready to provide troops, thereby encouraging them to provide the resources needed to respond to increased demand. In other words, participation and inclusiveness will also help the Organization to face the challenges that I have mentioned. 09-38601 Another important step is to engage troop- contributing countries in a consistent and sustained manner, and not in a sporadic fashion, as has been the case in the past. That is particularly true with regard to reform initiatives. Attentive consideration to the recommendations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations is also needed. Brazil stands ready to continue to contribute to peacekeeping, not only in the field and at Headquarters but also through participation in the debate on the necessary measures for its improvement. Such an endeavour is crucial to the future of the Organization.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Jordan.

Mr. Shawabkah (Jordan) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, allow me to express our gratitude and appreciation to you, Mr. President, for your initiative to hold this important meeting, as well as for your wise and able guidance of the deliberations of the Security Council. I would also like to thank your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation. My delegation would also like to thank Mr. Alain Le Roy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Ms. Susana Malcorra, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, for their comprehensive briefings and consultations with various States to inform them of the latest developments pertaining to the preparation of the New Horizon document. Jordan associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the brotherly delegation of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. The year 2009 marks two decades of Jordan's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, which began as a result of a royal decree. Our participation, which continues to this day, has made Jordan one of the top troop and police contributors. The current scope of Jordan's partnership in peacekeeping operations is a reflection of our declared principled position with regard to the Organization and its noble objectives in the maintenance of international peace and security. There has been a radical transformation in the international security environment in the course of the past two decades. That has resulted in significant developments with regard to the nature of peacekeeping operations, mission concepts and planning and the mechanisms for mission management and implementation. By necessity, those major transformations require new ways for the international community to respond effectively. Although recent responses and initiatives in the area of peacekeeping, whether within or outside the Security Council, have been steps in the right direction, their success in achieving the desired objectives continues to depend primarily upon partnerships among the various parties involved, in particular the Security Council, troop- contributing countries, donor States and the Secretariat. Today we have a new opportunity to promote the relationship between the Council and troop- contributing countries. Members of the Council have contributed to developing that relationship by calling for this meeting. That opportunity, which is long overdue, provides a chance for the Council to expand and deepen that relationship by involving troop- contributing countries in upcoming initiatives and by inviting them to participate in the meetings and consultations to address peacekeeping concerns. In that regard, it may be worthwhile to make use of Japan's recent experience. Thankfully, that delegation has helped to enhance interaction between the Security Council and troop-contributing countries by holding joint meetings in the context of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and by following up on the results of those meetings and informing States about them. That has had a positive impact on relations between troop-contributing countries and has prompted them to continue their contacts with the Council. The success of efforts to develop and support United Nations peacekeeping operations requires fostering confidence among the various regional groups, on the one hand, and between the regional groups and the Security Council, on the other. The multiplication of initiatives may lead to fatigue among States and groups if they are not involved therein and if no real results are achieved. This may lead to separation and hardening of positions due to a weakening of tripartite cooperation and an absence of communication channels between the main parties responsible for peacekeeping operations. The role of regional groups will be pivotal at such a moment, particularly in the light of the momentum of initiatives and the concurrent multiplicity of positions and viewpoints. All groups can combine all of these positions in one framework that emphasizes collective interests and at the same time ensure respect for the rights of all States. Consequently, it may be appropriate to promote confidence among the various parties by coordinating diverse initiatives in a transparent manner and falling back on the mandates and tasks of all peacekeeping mechanisms. New initiatives must be presented to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the General Assembly committees peacekeeping mandates, while new contacts must be promoted with regional groups. Jordan's role in enhancing its relationship with the Security Council is not confined to our interest in taking every opportunity to present our viewpoint on matters relating to peacekeeping operations. Our role extends to activities carried out in the framework of the Small Five's call for reform of the modus operandi of the Security Council from various perspectives, most important among which is the relationship between the Council and troop-contributing countries. In this connection, Jordan would like to emphasize the need for the Group to continue to present its recommendations to the Council and the larger membership, which we hope will be seriously discussed. Jordan would also like to emphasize the significance of practical procedures in enhancing the relationship between the members of the Council and troop-contributing countries. In particular, Jordan stresses the need to foster the relationship between the elements that plan United Nations peacekeeping operations and determine their mandates and administration, on the one hand, and those that implement the mandates, on the other. Troop- contributing countries must participate early and fully in all aspects and stages of United Nations peacekeeping operations so as to contribute their expertise and experience, which can help the Council to adopt appropriate and effective resolutions in due course. Jordan would also like to stress the need for the effective and full implementation of the provisions of resolution 1353 (2001) and the note by the President of the Council dated 14 January 2002 (S/2002/56) in a manner that will lead to the optimal use of these mechanisms and deepen the relationship with troop- contributing countries. Jordan is of the view that it is necessary to hold consultations with troop-contributing 09-3860] countries at every stage of peacekeeping operations, including at their request and especially before the Council renews the mandate of these operations. In conclusion, permit me to express, on behalf of the Government and people of Jordan, our gratitude and to pay homage to the peacekeepers who fell as martyrs while discharging their duties. Jordan has lost 22 such heroes in the cause of maintaining international peace and security.

Mrs. El Alaoui (Morocco): I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Allow me to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for arranging this debate on a critical and a flagship activity of the United Nations. I would also like to extend special thanks to Under-Secretaries- General Le Roy and Malcorra for their comprehensive briefings. The Non-Aligned Movement is best placed to contribute to an objective assessment of the challenges facing the United Nations capacity in peacekeeping, since its members have first-hand experience in the field as troop-contributing countries (TCCs), providing more than 87 per cent of personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and hosting most of the current missions. The sustained surge of today's peacekeeping has been emphasized within and outside the United Nations. The General Assembly, through its Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, is fulfilling its mandate in addressing all aspects of United Nations peacekeeping, including the effective planning and management of United Nations peacekeeping operations. After the initial reform process launched by the Brahimi report (S/2000/809), the Special Committee considered and monitored the implementation of the agenda for reform for 2010 and, more recently, the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the creation of the Department of Field Support (DFS). These reform efforts are recent and Member States have not had sufficient time to assess their impact, much less to rectify any shortcomings that may have resulted from those reforms. In this context, NAM strongly believes that the merit of any new initiative or process, whether Member State- or Secretariat-driven, should be carefully gauged in the context of its relevance to and coherence with the ongoing reforms. Such coherence, as well as continuity, should be the guidelines of the Secretariat's endeavours. All efforts should ultimately contribute to the common vision of United Nations peacekeeping that continues to save lives and prevents States from relapsing into conflicts. Following the 26 June briefing to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the heads of both DPKO and DFS addressed the Council today on the New Horizon non-paper as a contribution aimed at restructuring our thinking and approach towards peacekeeping. We would have preferred to receive the Secretariat's entire non-paper prior to this meeting in order to engage in a more meaningful debate. Nevertheless, NAM. will provide its views when it deems necessary. The Non-Aligned Movement wishes to underscore the importance of consistently applying the principles and standards set for the establishment and conduct of United Nations peacekeeping operations and stresses that peacekeeping should observe the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter and abide by the United Nations peacekeeping operations guiding principles, which are the consent of the parties, the non-use of force except in self-defence, and impartiality. The defence of the mandates should be consistent with United Nations principles. The Non-Aligned Movement also emphasizes that respect for the principles of the sovereign equality, political independence and territorial integrity of all States and non-intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State must be upheld. These guiding principles are the foundation of United Nations peacekeeping as they guarantee its sustainability and its legitimacy as a universal tool for the maintenance of peace and security. Last January, in the Council, NAM. expressed the view that the operational planning process deserves sustained attention and called for rethinking it to ensure coherence in vision, goals and objectives. The concept paper prepared by the presidency outlines some very useful thoughts on the importance of meaningfully engaging with those countries that provide troops and police. Indeed, TCCs should be involved in the planning process and in all aspects and stages of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Since mandates are ultimately to be implemented in the field by troop-contributing countries, they should be involved as a major partner right from the start - from the formulation of policy - through the decision- making process, and on to the deployment phases as well. Troop-contributing countries' first-hand experience, as I outlined previously, would contribute to an objective assessment of where and when to deploy and where to strengthen, where to cut or draw down, having peace and security as the main objective and benchmark. Resolution 1353 (2001) gave us the full spectrum of what should be done in this regard. In the light of the ongoing debate on how adequately to meet the rising expectations for peacekeeping today, the mechanism of triangular cooperation between TCCs, the Security Council and the Secretariat must be energized in a meaningful manner. TCCs are bearing the burden of implementing mandates crafted and authorized without their involvement in the planning and decision-making processes. Often they are the sole object of criticism when missions face difficulties. Therefore, we should build on the frequency of private meetings with TCCs and briefings by the Secretariat in order to foster a culture of interaction in which Security Council members are fully engaged. TCC involvement is a key to addressing the current shortcomings and to ensuring the effectiveness of United Nations action. Such involvement, formally operationalized, would assist, inter alia, the Security Council to better define clear and achievable mandates and achieve a greater integration of efforts. In this regard, I would like to thank Japan for all its efforts as the Chair of the Security Council Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. United Nations peacekeeping operations cannot continue to be supported by only a portion of the United Nations membership. All developed countries must share the burden of peacekeeping and engage their troops in the field under United Nations command and control. To ensure the appropriate level of response in terms of the scope and scale of peacekeeping, the entire membership should deal with the difficulties stemming from deployments in hostile environments and difficult political contexts. Furthermore, much broader sharing and contribution by all Member States would ensure unity of vision to reach our common goal of peace and security. Prioritization entails a political engagement that is well conceived and supported by all the parties concerned and by the international community. It also requires a comprehensive planning process that ensures mission coherence, clear lines of command and control, integration between mission components, training, deployment, and resources and guidance for DPKO and DF S in the management of the missions. TCCs can provide much-needed expertise for the way forward. The overextended state of United Nations peacekeeping, along with the increasing demand for renewed or expanded missions, requires a concerted and genuine response from the entire membership. We therefore call on all Member States to continue their support for this important activity, despite the challenges being faced as a result of global economic turmoil. United Nations peacekeeping remains one of the most important and cost-effective tools in the United Nations arsenal for achieving international peace and security. In conclusion, NAM. is proud to have been represented by its members in almost every peacekeeping operation since 1948 and will remain engaged in advancing the cause of peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Palous (Czech Republic): I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia, align themselves with this statement. First, I would like to thank the Turkish presidency for organizing this debate and for preparing a concept paper focusing on the relationship between the Security Council and the troop- and police- contributing countries and those contributing financially. We note that the Franco-British initiative on peacekeeping called for quarterly briefings to the Council by the Under-Secretaries-General for Peacekeeping and for Field Support. We therefore 09-3860] thank Alain Le Roy and Susana Malcorra for their briefings and for introducing the Secretariat's non-paper, and we hope that more briefings will follow on a regular basis. It is in our collective interest to ensure effective and efficient United Nations peacekeeping. The European Union has actively participated in the discussions on how to address the challenges faced by United Nations peacekeeping since the initiative was launched in this Council last January by France and the United Kingdom. The resolve to review United Nations peacekeeping and find solutions to its problems has dynamically developed, and today's discussions should contribute to the ongoing dialogue among all stakeholders. The European Union appreciates the efforts of the Japanese chairmanship of the Security Council Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, which has been engaging troop-contributing countries, those contributing financing and regional organizations in discussions on how best to address gaps between mandates and their implementation. We also welcome the consultation process recently launched by Canada. On the Secretariat side, the New Horizon project has been launched, and this morning we heard a briefing on the non-paper, which will provide us with a comprehensive view by the Secretariat on how best to cope with the current challenges to peacekeeping. The European Union welcomes the momentum that has been created and expects that all these initiatives will bring substantial results in the coming months. In this respect, we look forward to further debate during the August United Kingdom presidency of the Security Council, which will take stock of the Council's efforts at putting its house in order. That should spark wider debate within the United Nations later in the year on issues pertaining to complex mission mandates. The challenges faced by the United Nations in safeguarding international security are manifold. They stem from conflict prevention initiatives, planning and mandating peacekeeping operations and peacebuilding initiatives, through resource constraints, military expertise and effective oversight of the Security Council, to the actual implementation of mandates and the closing down of operations. As the complexity of peacekeeping missions and their operational environment has increased, it is important that decisions about the appropriate United Nations response be taken in consultations with those who carry them out. While recognizing that the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security lies with the Security Council, the European Union stresses the need for improving and expanding existing consultation mechanisms between those who plan and manage operations and those who contribute troops and finances. That would ensure more coherent and integrated mission planning, improved command and control of operations as well as smoother and more effective implementation of mandates. The European Union welcomes the meetings between troop- and police-contributing countries and the Security Council on specific peacekeeping missions in accordance with resolution 1353 (2001), as well as the thematic meetings of the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations. Those meetings enhance mutual confidence and cooperation. In order to achieve tangible results, we believe that strengthened commitment of both sides is desirable. The European Union calls for further improvement of cooperation between troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support. The European Union is in favour of the Secretariat improving the quality of information flow, organizing regular troop- and police- contributing country meetings in a timely manner prior to Security Council consultations and providing the troop- and police-contributing countries with reports on a regular basis on the political and military situations of peacekeeping operations. The concept of the strategic military cell, as it exists within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, is one good example of a possible way forward. Strengthened communication between the TCCs and the Secretariat would also enhance managerial efficiency, operational effectiveness and accountability of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Another challenge for United Nations missions is their peacebuilding tasks and ensuring a smooth transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, as well as cooperation with other United Nations agencies and actors in the field. Strengthened coordination is key to our common ability to deliver. The European Union welcomes the summary of the Secretariat's New Horizon non-paper and looks forward to the release of the non-paper itself. We welcome the main focus of the non-paper on issues such as strategy and direction, mission planning and clarity of tasks, command and control, resource availability and generation. The European Union shares the view of the Secretariat that partnerships need to be built to address the challenges of United Nations peacekeeping. Let me touch upon some of the Secretariat's recommendations. The executive summary makes widespread reference to a more proficient partnership with regional organizations, also in planning, operating and communicating together. The European Union has a well-established partnership with the United Nations in crisis management. It is also our priority to enhance the capacity of other regional organizations, in particular the African Union. We fully agree with the need to strengthen cooperation and reinforce interoperability with regional organization as a key tool to maximize global capacity of United Nations peacekeeping. In that regard, we would draw attention to the need for the establishment of effective transitional arrangements by the involved organizations during any handover period. The European Union agrees that there is a need to broaden the base of contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, and we would welcome better-calibrated incentives for providing necessary capabilities. The European Union collectively contributes over 40 per cent of the peacekeeping budget and 12 per cent of United Nations peacekeepers. Many European Union member States provide significant financial resources as well as capacities to United Nations blue-helmet operations and to other United Nations-mandated operations, including in Kosovo and Afghanistan. But we recognize that there may be more that we can do to make smarter use of available capabilities. In that regard, the European Union urges efficient management of available resources, which is more important than ever at the time of the global financial crisis. The European Union recognizes that robust peacekeeping is sometimes needed and we have to make sure that the United Nations is able to carry it out. For the European Union, protection of civilians is a key aspect of United Nations peacekeeping that needs to be consistently incorporated into all Security Council mandates and effectively implemented. Prioritization of mandates or sequencing of their implementation needs further analysis and careful consideration. We recognize the importance of ensuring that deployed peacekeepers are fully capable of fulfilling demanding mission mandates. Effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), protection of civilians and other key mandated tasks require appropriate training. The European Union provides substantial financial and technical support to many troop- and police-contributing countries in those areas. In conclusion, let me assure you that the European Union, as one of the leading contributors, remains committed to making United Nations peacekeeping more efficient and more effective. We look forward to specific results based on the current debates and to recommendations on how to move this agenda forward.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Mr. Ami] (Pakistan): I would like to thank you, Sir, for organizing this important debate on peacekeeping and for this opportunity to share our views. As the top troop-contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations and a long-time participant in the policy discussions, Pakistan brings a rich and diverse perspective to this discussion. We are a major stakeholder in the success of United Nations peacekeeping. This is a collective endeavour of the Security Council, the United Nations Member States in particular, the troop-contributing countries and the Secretariat. Let me also thank the two Under-Secretaries- General - Under-Secretary-General Le Roy and Under- Secretary-General Malcorra - for their briefings. Peacekeeping is today the face of the United Nations and its flagship activity. It is a major tool for the maintenance of international peace and security. While retaining its original purpose, peacekeeping has also evolved over time in response to the changing nature of conflict. Success in recent years, particularly of multidimensional operations, has led to raised expectations, increase in demand and corresponding challenges of planning and management, bridging the gap between mandates and resources and effective 09-3860] integration of conflict prevention and peacebuilding elements to achieve lasting and self-sustaining peace. The shared objective of making United Nations peacekeeping work better has brought Member States together on several important initiatives and efforts on policy issues, reform, restructuring and capacity- building over the last couple of years. The latest of these - the Secretary-General's reform proposal - resulted in a major overhaul and reconfiguration of the United Nations peacekeeping architecture, which focused in particular on strengthening capacity at Headquarters. Of course the proposal was presented as a necessary sequel to the Brahimi process and peace agenda for 2010, and was considered a comprehensive response to the challenges confronting peacekeeping. Member States have not yet had the opportunity to fully and properly assess and review the result and impact of that reform exercise. We do not have a clear idea of how effectively the new mechanism and structures are performing. In the meanwhile, several new initiatives by some Member States and the Secretariat - such as the New Horizon initiative - have been put forward. Our preliminary analysis of those initiatives is that while they could become catalysts for discussion, there is little new as regards the major issues and challenges. And we wonder whether it is a question of exposing the limitations of past reforms, or a question of fully implementing them through a sustained effort. Nevertheless, the value of these initiatives lies in considering them in an open and transparent manner within the framework of the ongoing process to ensure coherence and best results. Apart from the Security Council, the Committee of Thirty-Four remains the best forum to discuss all these issues in a comprehensive fashion. Pakistan welcomes the special focus that the presidency's concept note puts on cooperation and partnerships with the troop-contributing countries (TCCs). The TCCs contribute the basic building blocks of the partnership for peacekeeping. The role and engagement of the TCCs cuts across the whole range of activities in the mission cycle from early planning to deployment, management, drawdown and withdrawal of operations. It is therefore inconceivable that the effectiveness and success of the missions could be achieved unless that partnership is made more substantive and visible. There is a clear need to enhance the level and frequency of interaction and consultations with the TCCs. Debates such as this one provide good opportunity. The Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations is also an important avenue for providing trilateral cooperation, as its recent meetings have shown. It would be more productive if those meetings were held more regularly and coincided with the Council's direction of new missions as well as the review and renewal of ongoing mandates. Moreover, focused discussion of the situation on the ground, operational issues and challenges can really add value by promoting interaction with and feedback from the TCCs. In our view, enhanced consultations in the Working Group could also catalyse the hitherto somewhat lacklustre private meetings held under resolution 1353 (2001). There is general agreement that to ensure successful implementation of the mandates, we need a high degree of coherence between those who conceive and write mandates and those who implement them on the ground. How can we achieve that in practice? We should try to address the issue in a more innovative way through a more dynamic interplay and sharing of roles and responsibilities between the designers and implementers of mandates. Take the issue of resources, for example. Shortfall of resources, particularly personnel and equipment, can be met by broadening the contributors base, with more burden-sharing in the field by the developed countries. Not only will they bring the required niche capabilities, the developed countries will also get first-hand experience of the resource gaps in the missions, which will better inform them in designing mandates. The existing major troop contributors, who are mostly developing countries, should, on the other hand, be accorded an increased role in the design and decision-making process in the Council, through consultations and increased representation in the Security Council. Diversifying and expanding the contributors base and the decision makers base is also important in promoting a common understanding of the concepts, basic principles and guidelines for peacekeeping. This is essential for maintaining the credibility, legitimacy and neutrality of the United Nations, which are so essential for the continuing success of peacekeeping. We do not think there is a problem of evolution of new concepts and tools to adapt peacekeeping to changing requirements. The membership, particularly those who are contributing troops, have played an important role in facilitating the evolution and transformation of peacekeeping, including complex missions and robust mandates. That evolution, in our view, does not affect the basic principles of peacekeeping, which remain valid and relevant. Surprisingly, some of the objections with regard to concepts and principles, and the push for certain ideas that lack consensus, come from those who are not among the contributors in the field. This participation, we believe, will provide them better insight into the possible complications and difficulties in the field. There should be no monopoly on policy- and decision- making. Let me add, from the perspective of the TCCs, that the question of decision-making and command and control is not limited to dialogue or consultations. We call for an enhanced and visible representation of major TCCs at highest-level positions at Headquarters and in the field. Finally, in the context of a comprehensive approach, the political process and peacebuilding efforts must be pursued in parallel to the peacekeeping activity in order to ensure speedy fulfilment of mandates and to prevent relapse. The financial crunch and finite resources are all the more reason to focus on conflict prevention and resolution in the first place, not to undercut peacekeeping. Let me conclude by saying that if the Member States regard peacekeeping as an indispensable instrument, then we should all take a strategic decision to support it fully and wholeheartedly, with the political will, burden-sharing and pooling of resources and equitable decision-making to ensure its success.

The President: I call next on the representative of Rwanda.

Mr. Ndabarasa (Rwanda): My delegation wishes to thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to participate in this debate. We highly appreciate your efforts and congratulate you for ably guiding the work of the Security Council for the month of June. We also take this opportunity to thank Under- Secretary-General Alain Le Roy and Under-Secretary- General Susana Malcorra for their presentations and to acknowledge the laudable work that their respective departments continue to carry out. My delegation aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the delegation of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Rwanda's fundamental commitment to peacekeeping is borne out of our national experience of the 1994 genocide and the failure of the international community to respond in a timely and decisive manner. It is our conviction that our experience should not be revisited anywhere, and as result we are proud to support United Nations-mandated peacekeeping operations in the Sudan, Liberia, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire and Haiti. The nature of conflicts has significantly changed. The increasing role of non-State actors engaged in conflict with other non-State actors or with legitimate Governments has had a tragic impact on civilians. We also meet at a time when United Nations peacekeeping operations are under severe strain due to possible reduction in resources as a result of the global financial and economic crisis and the continued lack of clarity in peacekeeping mandates. It is therefore imperative that there be a complete rethinking of peacekeeping operations. My delegation believes that given the challenges faced in conflict-affected areas, force preparation is an essential factor. As a troop-contributing country, Rwanda is of the considered view that a well-prepared peacekeeping force is in a much better position to adequately effect the mandate assigned to it. A number of Member States, particularly from the African continent, are committed to peacekeeping but require the support of the international community in providing equipment that they are not able to muster because of minimal resources and competing priorities. Equipment such as helicopters, which the international community has failed to provide to missions like the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID), is a necessary force multiplier that would greatly impact the mobility and effectiveness of peacekeeping in that region. The availability and provision of equipment equally has a bearing on force protection which is a prerequisite for effective and robust peacekeeping. The timely reimbursement of troop- and police-contributing countries would certainly go a long way in sustaining and maintaining available equipment and ensure that peacekeepers are able to execute their mandates. 09-3860] The ability of peacekeeping missions to have access to real-time and accurate information in conflict areas would significantly impact their ability to respond in a timely and decisive manner to threats against civilians. In this regard we would urge the Department of Peacekeeping Operations to urgently explore partnerships with regional organizations and countries, in line with the recommendations of the Brahimi report (S/2000/809), to share information in conflict-afflicted zones. In view of the Prodi report, the international community should consider strengthening regional standby forces, particularly in the Africa region, in coordination with regional organizations such as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and others. This would resolve the challenge of quick response to emerging peacekeeping requirements. In this regard, we are pleased to hear reassuring statements by members of the Security Council and the emphasis by the Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Le Roy, on the Department's commitment to strengthening the African Union's peacekeeping capabilities. A review of peacekeeping policy through consultations with Member States and relevant United Nations organs is crucial. For example, it would be advisable for the Secretariat to have the flexibility to review the policy on contingent-owned equipment instead of waiting for the relevant working group to sit after three years. If in that period it is necessary to improve or adjust any aspect of the provisions for contingent-owned equipment, the Secretariat could advise Member States through relevant organs and take appropriate action. Security Council resolution 1353 (2001) recognizes the need to strengthen cooperation between the Security Council and troop-contributing countries in order to enhance United Nations peacekeeping for efficient and effective peacekeeping operations. My delegation is firmly of the view that through strengthened cooperation and political will we can achieve effective and credible United Nations peacekeeping operations into the future.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Spain.

Mr. Oyarzun (Spain) (spoke in Spanish): I wish first to thank the Security Council presidency for having organized today's discussion of peacekeeping operations. I thank the Permanent Representative of Turkey, in his capacity as President of the Council, for having kindly invited the delegation of Spain to participate. My thanks go also to Ms. Malcorra and Mr. Le Roy for their briefings on the New Horizon initiative, which is being developed in order to continue enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations. Spain endorses the statement made earlier this afternoon by the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union and shares the interest in enhancing the effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping operations and continuing to convene open debates on this theme to discuss the various challenges we face. My delegation considers that at least three debates on peacekeeping a year would be reasonable in order to appropriately update the information on the initiatives under way and to assess the level of compliance with the provisions of resolution 1353 (2001), on measures for cooperation by the Council with countries contributing troops to peacekeeping operations. Spain encourages the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations to make more in-depth efforts on the implementation of the recommendations regarding cooperation with troop-contributing countries, as contained in its December 2006 report (see S/2006/972). These open debates of the Security Council make it possible to consider in depth the various factors affecting the maintenance of international peace and security, primary responsibility for which lies with the Security Council, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. But we should also recall that under paragraph 2 of Article 11 the General Assembly can discuss any issue relating to the maintenance of international peace and security brought before it by any State Member of the United Nations. The Charter thus establishes interaction between these two principal organs, on which I wish to say a few words. I recall in particular Article 15 of the Charter, which provides that the General Assembly shall receive and consider annual and special reports from the Security Council and that these reports shall include an account of the measures that the Security Council has decided upon or taken to maintain international peace and security. It would also be desirable to improve coordination between the Security Council and other General Assembly bodies, in particular its Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, which, as members know, was established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 2006 (XIX) of 18 February 1965 in order to comprehensively consider peacekeeping operations in all their aspects. Spain is marking the twentieth anniversary of its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, which began in January 1989 with the deployment of military observers to the first United Nations Angola Verification Mission. Since then, more than 30,000 Spanish soldiers have participated in 20 United Nations peacekeeping operations and have suffered 29 deaths in the course of those operations. Spain is the eighth-largest contributor to the United Nations peacekeeping budget. My country is participating with a total of approximately 1,200 troops and police officers in five United Nations operations. Spain has welcomed with high interest the various initiatives under way to strengthen and improve the management of peacekeeping operations. These include the joint Department of Peacekeeping Operations/Department of Field Support New Horizon initiative, about which we heard today, along with initiatives of the Council itself and those of Member States. In that regard, we attach high priority to harmonizing all initiatives in order to optimize efforts and avoid duplication. This would make it possible to optimize and rationalize the use of resources, which is a key goal during the present economic crisis. Spain wishes also to stress one aspect of the New Horizon initiative: that it is a priority to maximize the overall capacity of operations, both in terms of numbers of personnel deployed and in terms of responding to the challenges posed to operations by difficult logistical and security conditions. We must bear in mind that the experience of countries contributing troops and other personnel provides us with a clearer view of what is taking place on the ground. We cannot forget that those who truly forge peace are the men and women at work in conflict zones. As the Brahimi report (S/2000/809) has already stressed, in order to improve the effectiveness and scope of peacekeeping operations it is essential that the United Nations work in collaboration with regional organizations. Peacekeeping operations are very costly, and we must make them as effective as possible. For that reason, in addition to using diverse conflict- prevention measures, it is also of fundamental importance to share tasks with other regional organizations. The European Union and the United Nations have attained a high level of cooperation, as recently exemplified by the successful handover from the European Union military operation in the Republic of Chad and in the Central African Republic and the effective protection provided by vessels of European Operation Atalanta, which is making possible the provision of United Nations humanitarian aid to the Somali people. Our cooperation has progressed markedly and imaginatively, and we hope that in the future the European Union will further strengthen its role in all conflict-prevention, peacebuilding and peacekeeping processes. Possible future areas of cooperation with the United Nations under consideration include support for Africa's peacekeeping capacity, in particular with respect to training, and strengthening existing cooperation on security sector reform. Spain recognizes the special importance of the protection of civilians in the peacekeeping sphere. We believe that such protection should be clearly defined in the mandates of operations approved by the Security Council. We attach great importance to the inclusion of this concept in mission mandates, and consider that these should also include provisions for the effective oversight of compliance and that sufficient capacity for successful implementation should be allocated. Spain believes that it is essential that potential contributors of troops and financial resources participate in the integrated planning process for United Nations peacekeeping operations, along with all other necessary actors within the system. They should also participate in identifying objectives for properly assessing the exit strategy for a peacekeeping operation in a given region or country. In our view, the consistent involvement of all players in the integrated planning of a peacekeeping operation is of decisive importance in giving proper direction to a country's recovery. Spain wishes finally to stress its recognition of and full support for the efforts being made by the Department of Field Support to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of logistical support for peacekeeping missions. I conclude by reaffirming Spain's fundamental commitment to the principles and purposes of the 09-3860] United Nations, especially to the maintenance of international peace and security.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of India.

Mr. Puri (India): In the interests of the efficient use of time, I propose to deliver a condensed version of my statement. The complete text will, however, be circulated. I thank you, Sir, for organizing this thematic debate. With over 100,000 peacekeepers, an $8 billion budget and expanded mandates, peacekeeping remains at the heart of the activities of the United Nations. India aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. India has been an active participant in peacekeeping since the word itself was invented in 1956. We have, over the past five decades, contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers to 40 United Nations operations. We continue to provide troops and policemen to the most difficult operations that the United Nations conducts. Let me put things in perspective with one example. Even as I speak, more than 5,000 Indian soldiers and policemen are deployed in the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are the cutting edge in translating this Council's words into deeds, and they do so in exceedingly challenging circumstances. India is also one of the largest contributors of air assets to United Nations operations. We therefore bring to this table a unique combination of commitment to peacekeeping and of knowledge and experience of peacekeeping of which we are very proud. The world of peacekeeping today is very different from what it was two decades ago. In 1986, one Under- Secretary-General, an Assistant Secretary-General, three D-2-level officers and three Professional officers, with a budget of approximately $240 million, managed about 10,000 peacekeepers. The number of peacekeepers is now about 140,000; the budget for the present year is $8 billion; and the Under-Secretary- General and his staff have become the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Department of Field Support (DFS) and the Peacebuilding Support Office, with 1,300 jobs being sought for peacekeeping on the support account last year. In his statement to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations on 23 January, 2009, Mr. Alain Le Roy highlighted a number of areas in which peacekeeping faces problems. These include sheer overstretch, a wide gap between supply and demand for the numbers and types of personnel; and the absence of critical enabling capacities, such as air assets. There is no scarcity of the personnel and capacities of the type that the United Nations requires. There are enough troops, enough policemen, enough civilian experts, enough capacities and enough helicopters available to the international community. That is not the problem. The problem is that there is reluctance on the part of Member States to make these available to the United Nations. A major issue is the nature of the Security Council's mandates and the manner in which they are generated. Related to this is the question of whether the mandates have any correlation to the ability of the Organization to deliver. Mandates are increasingly robust and place peacekeepers, most of whom come from Member States not represented in this Council, in non-permissive environments. They are faced with situations in which they are more frequently being called upon to use force not just to defend but to enforce mandates. Peacekeeping mandates have become too broad and too all-encompassing. These difficulties are compounded by the fact that robust peacekeeping has not been properly defined. We reiterate the Brahimi recommendation that mandates be clear and achievable. We also reiterate that this will not be possible without substantively involving countries that contribute manpower and resources to peacekeeping operations. Consultations with and briefings for troop- and police-contributing countries do take place more frequently, but they are pro forma in nature and skirt substantive issues with little or no scope for meaningful discussion. The most recent change in the rules of engagement and concept of operations in the case of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was communicated to the troop-contributing countries after they had been notified by the Under- Secretary-General during a consultation meeting. It will be agreed that being informed is not the same as being consulted. This exemplifies the manner in which the spirit of resolution 1353 (2001) is being systematically undermined and raises doubts about the seriousness of the Security Council in addressing the reasons behind the crisis. India believes that the future of peacekeeping, and at least a part of peacebuilding, lies in the development of police and rule of law capacities in United Nations missions. The development of these capacities must be relevant to the situations in which they are to be applied. The most relevant capacities are present in Member States that have gone through successful post-colonial nation-building exercises. The experience that these nations have in building and nurturing institutions, particularly those relating to the development of robust security mechanisms that operate in visible, open and democratic environments, need to be taken into account as the DPKO develops its capabilities in this area. My delegation believes that mission support is another area that requires sustained attention. As a general principle we believe that DFS needs to model itself on well-run, simple and efficient military logistical operations. We have taken note of the New Horizon report process. We would like it be an exercise that takes a clear, hard look at where DPKO and DFS require focusing. We have engaged with DPKO on the study and are looking forward to continuing this engagement in a constructive manner during the process of generating the report. It is not, however, our impression that the product of this study will influence the manner in which the fundamental issues I raised earlier are being addressed. In concluding, I reiterate India's commitment to participating in the process of strengthening peacekeeping in order to increase its relevance and effectiveness. We will also, where we deem it necessary and relevant, be willing to consider the deployment of capacities that are required by peacekeeping operations in the years to come.

The President: I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea.

Mr. Park In-kook (Republic of Korea): I thank you, Sir, for organizing this meeting today and inviting my delegation. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Under-Secretaries-General Alain Le Roy and Susanna Malcorra for their comprehensive and informative briefings. For the past six decades, United Nations peacekeeping operations have evolved to successfully address diverse challenges arising from various conflicts in a rapidly changing political landscape. The ever-growing demand for peacekeeping with increasingly complex and multidimensional mandates represents the hopes for our peacekeeping operations and high opinion in which the world holds them. The overall number of United Nations peacekeeping personnel in the field has increased nearly tenfold over the past seven years. The Fifth Committee has just approved a record high budget of $7.7 billion for peacekeeping missions for the 2009- 2010 biennium. However, this increasing demand also means that United Nations peacekeeping operations are clearly being overstretched, while complex and multidimensional mandates present a new set of challenges. This magnitude and complexity transcend what the Brahimi report (S/2000/809) envisaged 10 years ago. Considering the ever-growing demand for United Nations peacekeeping operations, it is clear that this overstretch will continue to be aggravated in the coming years, and we need reform to cope with this trend. My delegation welcomes the New Horizon project as one of the answers to the new set of challenges. Canada, Korea and many other Member States recently organized brainstorming sessions to discuss and share views and insights on the future of United Nations peacekeeping operations. My delegation hopes that these initiatives of the Member States will steer us forward as we continue our discussion. In this vein, I would like to highlight the following points. First, a clear mandate, priorities and political strategy should be given to peacekeeping missions. The importance of clear, credible and achievable mandates has already been raised in the Brahimi report, but only a few missions have been given a developed list of mission priorities. Without clear mandates or priorities, we cannot expect efficient and effective mapping of resources through mandates. As the mandates of United Nations peacekeeping operations grow more encompassing and complex, it becomes imperative to establish agreed and clear mandates. In that process, maintaining the critical balance between consensus and efficiency will be crucial. 09-3860] Secondly, we need to set up a clear exit point and a responsible exit strategy. The necessity for reliable benchmarks and indicators to determine the exit point of United Nations peacekeeping operations has been referred to repeatedly over the years, and overstretch is evidently generating pressure for early exit by some missions. To address that issue, the role and early engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) could be explored. The potential capacity of the Commission is not being fully realized. Among the many functions that it has, the country-specific mechanism of the Commission can work as a responsible exit. To fully utilize that potential, the peacebuilding activities should be integrated in the peacekeeping operations from the earliest stage, and a strategic partnership between the Security Council and the PBC should be activated in a more genuine sense. Fourthly, preventive actions or alternatives to heavy peacekeeping operations need to be actively pursued. Although peacekeeping operations are less costly than other military options, we need to explore and integrate other more cost-effective means, such as mediation and preventive deployment. Moreover, mediation and other political means should be a complementary and integral part of everyday peacekeeping operations. In that regard, we welcome the Mediation Support Unit, recently set up in the Department of Political Affairs. Fifthly, partnerships with regional organizations, civilian partners and private sectors need to be further developed. Regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union and the European Union, have become crucial partners of the United Nations, especially in sharing the burden of peacekeeping operations. A concrete and comprehensive model or modality of cooperation with those organizations should be developed. The Prodi report (S/2008/813) would serve as a good basis for the discussion, and we look forward to the relevant report by the Secretary- General. Regional organizations are not only valuable as partners to share the overstretched burden, but also as strategic partners that can engage where the United Nations cannot because of political complexities. Sixthly, a global, responsive and rapid deployment system is key to effective and efficient operations. The support system should also correspond to the nature of the peacekeeping operation. The Government of the Republic of Korea, as the tenth largest financial contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations, is considering establishing a standby force that can be deployed in a timely manner. I hope that that new standby force will help to enhance our readiness and responsiveness. On the support side, the creation of the Department of Field Support (DF S) is one of the major successes of the reform drives by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and was instrumental in providing integrated field support. I expect that the strategic support plan that the DFS is developing will raise the field support capabilities of the United Nations to another level. The points that I have raised thus far are concerned with how we will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations peacekeeping operations. However, it is evident that, with growing demand, a broadening of the contributor base and an expansion of the partnership with contributors will be required. Accordingly, the relations and partnerships between the Security Council and the troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and financial contributing countries need to be strengthened. In that regard, I again thank the President for inviting the TCCs and the financial contributing countries to share our views with the Security Council, and I believe such opportunities to hold more frequent and regular consultations on major issues of the United Nations should be further expanded and institutionalized. The increasing demand for United Nations peacekeeping operations represents the high expectation and support of the international community for such operations. However, if we cannot effectively deal with the overstretch issue and fail to meet the demand, collective support for peacekeeping will be severely weakened. We should not and must not fail.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Ghana.

Mr. Christian (Ghana): Permit me, at the outset, to commend the Permanent Representative of Turkey for successfully steering the affairs of this Council during this month and for organizing this meeting, given the close link between the theme and the Council's fundamental responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. Let me also thank Under-Secretaries-General Alain Le Roy and Susana Malcorra for their eloquent presentations, which not only focused on the status of United Nations peacekeeping operations, but elucidated the strategies to surmount challenges posed by the multidimensional facet of United Nations peacekeeping operations. 1 would also wish to express my delegation's gratitude and honour for the invitation to participate in this important meeting. It is without doubt that United Nations peacekeeping operations have contributed immensely towards our Organization's efforts in attaining its fundamental goal of maintaining international peace and security, as well as the promotion of sustainable development and human rights. Its accomplishment, widely acknowledged as one of the indisputable hallmarks of the Organization, has also raised expectations, even as it takes on complex and multidimensional mandates in more challenging environments. Indeed, the ever-growing demand for United Nations peacekeeping operations is affirmed by the confidence and respect that the Blue Helmets enjoy worldwide, despite the inherent constraints and weaknesses, as well as some regrettable shortcomings. Unquestionably, it would have been more difficult for the United Nations to discharge that onerous responsibility creditably without the appropriate reforms, starting with those outlined in the Brahimi report (S/2000/809). Although my delegation applauds the great strides that have been made to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping operations, we also acknowledge that much remains to be done if we are to attain the ultimate goal. The ability of the United Nations to surmount current and emerging challenges, and also to bridge the gaps between United Nations capacities and the expectations of the world community, depends largely, but not exclusively, on the adoption of unambiguous, realistic and achievable mandates and exit strategies in tandem with a parallel and inclusive peace process. With the ever-evolving nature and scope of peacekeeping operations, it is incumbent on the Council, within the purview of its responsibility, to consider refining mission mandates to account for the envisaged challenges of the field, including by adjusting the rules of engagement for field personnel as and when the need arises, practical deployment timelines and increased authority for field operations. As a mandate is not an end in itself, its objective can only be realized through the provision of the requisite human and financial as well as logistical resources. Logistics difficulties confronting most troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and police- contributing countries (PCCs) in mission areas have been identified as a major impediment to prompt and effective deployment. We consider Security Council resolutions 1327 (2000) and 1353 (2001), dealing with cooperation and consultations among TCCs and PCCs and the Council and the Secretariat, as critical to the ultimate outcome of peacekeeping operations. While we welcome the deepening of that trilateral framework, we are convinced that that could further be enhanced to ensure the attainment of the optimal goal. TCCs and PCCs should be involved early and fully in all stages and aspects of mission planning, since that would contribute to a more inclusive decision-making process. It therefore behoves the Council to critically examine the current working methods, with the aim of eliciting the views of potential TCCs and PCCs before its consideration and adoption of mission mandates, as well as prior to the renewal or review of existing mandates. Another important factor to that end is the extension of political support and commitment to missions by Member States. History has unambiguously demonstrated that the existence or absence of that element determines the success or failure of peacekeeping operations. In the wake of the surge in demand and complexity of peacekeeping operations, it is an irrefutable fact that regional and subregional organizations can play a vital role in ensuring a more effective and comprehensive response to conflict situations in the world. The proximity of the member States of regional organizations to conflict areas gives them a better understanding of the complexity of the issues. It also enables them to respond to crises in a timely manner. We should bear in mind, however, that regional actors can sometimes complicate the resolution of conflicts. The Council should therefore, as a matter of urgency, consider further strengthening cooperation with those bodies within the framework of Chapter VIII in order to make the best use of the comparative advantages of the United Nations and regional arrangements, with a view to maximizing the effectiveness and synergies for peacekeeping 09-3860] operations. In that regard, we express our support for the continuing efforts to strengthen African peacekeeping capacities, and emphasize the importance of joint action plans to address constraints identified by African Member States. The safety and security of peacekeepers is of paramount concern to my country, and indeed to all troop and police contributors. The continued fatalities are regrettable and indefensible, given the selfless services rendered by peacekeepers. Undoubtedly, in this current era of intra-State conflict, peacekeepers are required to operate in precarious security environments where non-State entities and spoilers act with impunity. Given that grave atmosphere, it is unrealistic and incongruous to place the responsibility for the safety and security of peacekeepers in the hands of host authorities or signatories to a peace accord. In my delegation's candid opinion, the United Nations should assume that responsibility until relative normalcy is restored to conflict areas. In that connection, we commend the progress made so far to address that challenge and encourage the Secretariat to continue to enhance its capacity, especially with regard to the gathering of operational and tactical intelligence, which is essential to pre-empting potential threats and ensuring the safety and security of both peacekeepers and civilians. We owe it as a duty to the gallant men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of United Nations operations to strive to reduce fatalities, especially those resulting from hostile acts. Regrettably, a critical assessment of current geopolitical developments indicates that United Nations peacekeeping activities are not likely to abate in the coming years. Rather, they could experience an increase in both scope and nature. The United Nations can only continue to be a source of hope for the unfortunate victims of conflict by adapting to the ever- changing nature of peacekeeping through innovation and flexibility. Indeed, ongoing reforms will invariably determine the continued capacity of the United Nations to sustain its flagship undertaking. It is our collective responsibility to ensure a favourable outcome to the process. The Council's critical role cannot be overemphasized.

The President: I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Nepal.

Mr. Acharya (Nepal): I would like to congratulate the Turkish presidency for organizing this important thematic debate on peacekeeping. It is true that peacekeeping is under increasing strain. There is political, logistical, financial and managerial overstretch. We are deploying missions in increasingly complex environments, with increasingly difficult mandates and often with the limited consent of the State or the parties concerned. In some cases, mandates related to the protection of civilians and the extension of State authority encroach upon the traditional functions of States and generate resistance on the part of the parties concerned. The capability of the United Nations to deploy missions in time, when they are needed most, is under severe stress. In many cases, missions are left without appropriate political support or a workable exit strategy. In others there is a gap between peacekeeping and peacebuilding. In still others both the Peacebuilding Commission and the Security Council are engaged, without a proper delineation of responsibilities. That calls for a serious review of United Nations peacekeeping as a tool for the maintenance of international peace and security, as a concept for resolving conflicts and as a strategy for filling in gaps in failed or failing States and societies transitioning out of conflict. It also deserves an in-depth analysis as a complex managerial endeavour. Current practices in developing doctrine and mandating, budgeting, supporting and managing peacekeeping operations, including their links to other activities such as preventive diplomacy and peacebuilding, need a strategic review. Although there has not been a serious in-depth study of United Nations peacekeeping operations since the Brahimi report (S/2000/809) of 2000, we should not forget that some of its key principles still remain valid and are yet to be fully implemented. On Nepal's behalf, I welcome the various initiatives, including this one, to more broadly review the subject. Clearly, there is a need for convergence in the various initiatives within and outside the Security Council and that of the New Horizon project, initiated jointly by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the Department of Field Support (DFS). I must stress here that any review or recommendation will have real meaning only when it receives broad-based support from the membership, including the members of Council, the General Assembly and finance- and troop-contributing countries. As matters stand now, as a troop-contributing country, we are at the end of the spectrum. Our troops are called on to participate in missions in whose mandate development and planning we are not involved, let alone the determination of political strategy. Our troops are tasked with implementing complex mandates, without too much operational flexibility, as well as with applying rules of engagement they did not themselves develop. We are also being stretched in the area of deployment, in particular in terms of logistical resources. By the end of this year, Nepal's current strength of 3,800 military and police personnel will have increased by one third, once our troops are deployed to Darfur and Chad, with an additional company to Lebanon. Our capability to deploy troops has also been severely constrained by the increasingly complex requirement of contingent-owned equipment, including equipment that we do not normally operate at home. It also involves a long procurement process that reduces our capability to deploy in time. There is therefore a strong case to be made for building the capacity of willing troop contributors to deploy swiftly and with the required contingent equipment and professional capability for complex and robust peacekeeping operations. That would entail critical logistical and training support from the United Nations and bilateral sources. Enhancement of the United Nations strategic logistic pool of key equipment for mission start-up or filling in the gaps experienced by some troop-contributing countries would be part of the solution. We should also not underestimate the importance of having developed countries share some of the burden of contributing troops in difficult peacekeeping missions, so as to make peacekeeping a truly effective global partnership. Peacekeeping is still an evolving and dynamic concept. In recent years, the conflict environment and the challenges to peacekeeping have changed dramatically, requiring new approaches and partnerships. In order to overcome some of the key challenges, an enhanced and institutionalized relationship between the Security Council, troop- and police-contributing countries and the Secretariat is of paramount important to reshaping the model of partnership. That would entail the involvement of troop-contributing countries from the time that a mandate is formulated to key stages in the mission planning process. That should be done through close interaction, information-sharing and participation. The Security Council should also focus on establishing unambiguous and achievable mandates. Missions should be equipped with matching resources commensurate with the tasks in the field. Some of the challenges to peacekeeping are related to the environment in host nations, especially challenges resulting from fragile peace agreements and a lack of commitment on the part of the parties during the implementation phase. That requires more proactive engagement and greater political support from the international community, especially the Security Council. In that connection, I would hope that the New Horizon project, being undertaken jointly by DPKO and DFS, will rectify the problems that we are facing today by adequately and effectively addressing them. We are of the view that, during the review, core values of United Nations peacekeeping operations such as adherence to the Charter, the consent of the parties, non-interference in the affairs of sovereign States and the non-use of force except in self-defence should not be undermined. Those principles should not be compromised, even in the context of so-called robust peacekeeping operations. On behalf of Nepal, I would like to pledge our active involvement in and support of the necessary review process of peacekeeping operations so that current strains can be rectified in existing and future missions.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Germany.

Mr. Ney (Germany): Please allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting and for providing the opportunity for major contributors to peacekeeping to actively participate in the review of United Nations peacekeeping. I would also like to thank the Under-Secretaries-General, Susana Malcorra and Alain Le Roy, for presenting their views on necessary adjustments in peacekeeping at the very beginning of a hopefully fruitful dialogue with the main stakeholders. 09-3860] Germany fully supports all the points stated earlier by the European Union Presidency. From Germany's point of view, today's discussion is an important step in a dialogue on peacekeeping encompassing the various initiatives that have been generated over the past months. We thank the Secretariat for its concise analysis of the current state of peacekeeping, an analysis that intelligently walks the fine line between maintaining the beneficial approaches of the Brahimi report while at the same time pointing to necessary adjustments. It has often been said that peacekeeping is the United Nations flagship enterprise. This is true, because a unique responsibility for the stability and peace of the entire world lies and remains with the United Nations. While peacekeeping is not the only means at hand, it is a decisive tool for mastering that challenge. The execution of this task is a success story, while not free of setbacks and criticism. We all admit that we have a responsibility to improve peacekeeping even further. Such an endeavour requires focus, a focus that helps to separate the urgently necessary from the long- term desirable, a separation made necessary in part by there being limited resources available for coping with all the crises at hand. Our discussion should concentrate on those adjustments required to strengthen peacekeeping as a credible means in crisis management. The reason why Germany puts emphasis on a thorough, focused process is that the people affected by the crises deserve the best. Many thoughts expressed in today's discussion find our support. I would like to emphasize four particular ones that are central in our mind. First, the need to improve and expand the existing consultation mechanisms has already been addressed by the EU Presidency. This is crucial. An intensive dialogue with all stakeholders, above all the Member States contributing to peacekeeping, is absolutely essential. Secondly, before the Security Council adopts a resolution, a clear understanding of operational assets available is necessary. It is a cornerstone for developing clear and achievable mandates. Consequently, Germany fully supports the Committee of Thirty-Four statement in this year's report that: "The Special Committee strongly recommends that the Security Council be fully advised on the availability of the operational and logistical capabilities which would be necessary for the success of a peacekeeping operation, prior to making a decision on a new or major change to an existing mandate." (A/63/19, para. 67) Thirdly, with regard to the New Horizon initiative, Germany proposes that this project not end with another non-paper. I recommend aiming for a document, based on the consent of all of us, thus providing a tangible basis for decision-making and execution. Fourthly, work has been done regarding the compilation of basic documents so as to transform the document entitled "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Principles and Guidelines" into a library of documents that can assist all who work in peacekeeping. Germany would like to see that finalized and made accessible for all contributors sooner rather than later. In conclusion, Sir, allow me to thank you and the Under-Secretaries-General for taking this initiative and allow me to reiterate Germany's willingness and dedication to contribute meaningfully to the adjustment process, so that peacekeeping remains a credible tool in the hands of the United Nations, a body with the unique legitimacy to manage crises.

The President: I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of Egypt.

Mr. Abdelaziz (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for the initiative of holding this important debate at a time when United Nations peacekeeping operations are witnessing accelerated developments and questions regarding the capability of the Organization to bear the increasing burden of expanding peacekeeping operations and implementing their complex mandates. I would also like to thank the two Under-Secretaries- General for Peacekeeping Operations and for Field Support for their briefings on the two Departments' visions for reform and related ideas contained in the New Horizon non-paper. Undoubtedly, the expansion of United Nations peacekeeping activities during recent years and the deployment of over 115,000 personnel with an annual peacekeeping budget of over $8 billion necessitates an urgent and comprehensive review by the relevant United Nations bodies. Such a review must examine ways to respond to the increased demand for peacekeeping, which shows no sign of diminishing in the near future. It must also evaluate successes and failures and must indicate ways for addressing the gap between mandates decided by the Security Council and what peacekeeping operations can implement on the ground. This must be done through a practical vision that enhances the role of the United Nations by ensuring clarity in mandates and providing for the deployment needs of troops in terms of equipment, finances and logistical support in the field. How well we address this problem will depend on how well we identify its causes. Egypt believes that a major part of what we face is a result of the lack of success that the United Nations has had in fulfilling its expected role in terms of preventive diplomacy and efforts to prevent conflicts from erupting and evolving to the point where they become threats to international peace and security. It is also due to the inability of the Organization to address the root causes of existing conflicts and to the transformation of peacekeeping missions into missions for managing conflict. In addition, there is an increased dependence on the part of host countries on the role and capacities of these missions, including their military and police capacity, in supporting fragile national capabilities in the areas of defence and internal security. When the United Nations does not work hard enough at building the capacities of post-conflict countries in these areas and other fields of development, peacekeeping operations end up having to be prolonged, and there is a lack of strong national alternatives for undertaking the same tasks, for preserving the stability and security achieved and for dealing effectively with peacebuilding and comprehensive economic development. The root of the problem lies also in the lack of resources and capacities required to implement peacekeeping operations, resulting in donor fatigue on the part of the troop-contributing countries and major contributors to the peacekeeping budget. This financial dimension threatens the United Nations ability to immediately respond to all cases that require peacekeeping operations. It may regrettably oblige the Organization to choose between deteriorating situations in various countries and select only some of them for peacekeeping operations owing to a lack of necessary funds. This would threaten the credibility of the Organization in the field of the maintenance of international peace and security. Now that we have dealt with our diagnosis of the problem and the reasons for not achieving the desired progress, there are a variety of initiatives to address the issue. These have different objectives and the various main bodies of the United Nations play their role in them, pushing for reform and strengthening the organizational structures to address the issue. This requires that we unify the Organization under one vision, as proposed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support in the New Horizon non-paper, and that we contribute to discussing and drawing up plans to achieve these objectives. Here, Egypt proposes a number of elements that we hope will be taken into consideration in putting together the final elements of the non-paper. First, we must address peacekeeping as one of several tools available to the United Nations within a series of political tools including preventive diplomacy, mediation and reconciliation, peacekeeping. and peacebuilding and long-term development. Second, we must ensure the clarity of mandates and cohesive political and military planning as means for achieving peacekeeping success and the goals for which these operations were established. Third, we must ensure the existence of an exit strategy and a parallel political process, as peacekeeping is part of the political solution, not an alternative to it. United Nations peacekeeping operations should be accompanied by an active political strategy that provides tools for support and backing from the international community so that there is a peace to keep, as the Secretary-General mentioned in his report on the work of the Organization to the sixty-third session of the General Assembly (A/63/l). Fourth, we must work to enhance trust among peacekeeping parties represented in the Security Council, the TCCs and the Secretariat, as well as trust and consent on the part of the host countries. Fifth, partnership between those parties is the basis for the legitimacy and sustainability of United Nations peacekeeping. That requires more interaction with TCCs and expansion of their participation from the outset, as described in the Brahimi report, in reports by the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, and in recommendations by the international panel of 09-3860] experts on African peacekeeping operations. Efforts to address problems with peacekeeping should not be limited to its financial aspects but should also seek to strengthen the link between peacekeeping, financial and political plans, peacebuilding and comprehensive development. Sixth, we must ensure the strengthening of cooperation on the part of regional organizations under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations and the enhancement of their capacities to develop structure and capacities for achieving the peaceful settlement of conflicts and fulfilling peacekeeping tasks at the regional level pursuant to a mandate from the Security Council under the umbrella of the United Nations and funded by it, particularly the African Union, which represents an unqualified success. Seventh, we must ensure the improvement of the procurement system and mission field support. Eighth, we must pursue development in the security sector and increase coordination and interaction between the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Department of Field Support and the Department of Political Affairs. Ninth, we must avoid addressing the issue of peacekeeping from the perspective of dispute over competency between the Security Council and the General Assembly and instead promote the role of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations as the main body responsible for peacekeeping operations in all its aspects in the Organization. We must also encourage the Security Council not to micromanage the Secretariat's work. Finally, Egypt is honoured to be carrying the flag of the United Nations and to be contributing military troops and police to nine United Nations peacekeeping operations. We support improvements in our Organization and look forward to receiving the New Horizon non-paper being prepared by the two Departments and to the start of a substantive and in-depth discussion in the coming session of the General Assembly.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Bangladesh.

Mr. Chowdhury (Bangladesh): At the outset, allow me to thank the Turkish presidency for organizing this debate on the relationship between the Security Council, the troop-contributing countries (TCCs) and the countries contributing financing, and on the way such relations could be further strengthened. I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for inviting my delegation to speak on this occasion. I would also like to thank Mr. Alain Le Roy, Under- Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Ms. Susan Malcorra, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, for their very useful briefings. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made by the representative of Morocco, who spoke on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Nine years back, in November 2000, the Bangladesh delegation, while speaking on the recommendations of the Brahimi report to this Council, emphasized in the context of the commitment gap the need for all Member States to provide troops for United Nations peacekeeping operations. The delegation, referring to the tragic incident of genocide in Rwanda and the Secretary-General's earnest canvassing, which could in two months gather only one tenth of the authorized strength for the second United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR II), asked "where will these troops come from unless all of us chip in?" Now, after almost 10 years, the relentless and unwavering support that Bangladesh has been providing to United Nations peacekeeping operations for the last two decades can amply testify that we, with our limited resources, have been able to live up to our commitment to international peace and security. Peacekeeping today has evolved into a complex and multidimensional phenomenon incorporating military, police and increasing numbers of civilian personnel to implement robust mandates. The size of human and financial resources has also seen exponential growth. Under the present circumstances, it is more necessary than ever to establish a genuine and meaningful relationship between those who plan, mandate and manage United Nations peacekeeping operations and those who implement the mandates. Such a relationship is needed in order to respond effectively to the increasingly complex challenges. It has been almost two decades that a debate on the issue of consultation with the TCCs has been ongoing, and the process has traversed through many initiatives and arrangements based on them. Following the Brahimi report, which emphasized the need for better coordination among the Security Council, TCCs and the Secretariat, in June 2001, under the Bangladesh presidency, the Security Council adopted the landmark resolution 1353 (2001), which provided the formats for such consultation. After eight years, while we have once again embarked on the debate on that same necessity, my delegation considers it prudent to examine whether or not the full scope provided under resolution 1353 (2001) has been explored. Resolution 1353 (2001) emphasized the need to continue consultations with TCCs as the principal means of consultations that may be convened at different stages of peacekeeping operations, including mission planning, change or renewal of mandate, rapid deterioration of the security situation on the ground, termination, withdrawal or scaling down in size of the operation, transition from peacekeeping to post- conflict peacebuilding, and so on. In this regard, my delegation believes that, when decisions need to be taken on peacekeeping operations, it is important for the Secretary-General to include in his regular reports to the Council information on the views expressed by the TCCs. At the same time, it is necessary to take into consideration the provisions of resolution 1327 (2000), which underlines the importance of an improved system of three-way consultations to foster a common understanding of the situation on the ground with regard to the mission's mandate and its implementation. That resolution provided for holding private meetings with the troop-contributing countries when considering a change, renewal or completion of a peacekeeping mandate or when a rapid deterioration in the situation on the ground threatened the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers. This point was reiterated in presidential statement S/PRST/2001/3, which established a Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. It is important to mention, however, that briefings by the Secretariat intended for the TCCs should take place well ahead of mandate renewals and new mission mandates. In order to develop a mechanism for effective interactions, it is important to make explicit the available courses of action as specified by the Security Council and other intergovernmental bodies like the Committee of Thirty-Four (C-34). The possibilities of the Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations are underutilized. The Working Group is supposed to address general and technical issues without prejudice to the competency of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations of the General Assembly. My delegation would like to recall here that the Committee of Thirty-Four has encouraged the Working Group to implement recommendations concerning cooperation with TCCs, as contained in document S/2006/972. Meaningful consultation with the TCCs is not merely a customary practice but a necessity in the greater interest of peacekeeping operations. It is therefore of utmost importance that their views be taken into account. Given their wealth of experience and expertise, as well as the commitments they have made, the TCCs are in the best position to contribute to the process of mandating, planning and implementing peacekeeping operations. Needless to say, the sense of ownership of the TCCs, which is due to be further strengthened in the process, could be an added asset. Turning to the briefings by Under-Secretary- General Le Roy and Under-Secretary-General Malcorra, we take note of the New Horizon concept, which is likely to be presented for consideration by Member States in the near future. As a preliminary remark, I would like to refer to the reform initiatives considered by Member States in recent years and mention that the benefits of the reforms are yet to be fully assessed; any new reform initiative should take into account a thorough assessment of those earlier initiatives. We also take note of the challenges faced by United Nations peacekeeping operations. It is the prerogative of Member States to consider any proposal to enhance the efficiency of peacekeeping operations. My delegation is looking forward to working with the other Member States on this matter.

The President: I now give the floor to the representative of Uruguay.

Mr. Cancela (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, Mr. President, I would like to thank you for convening this important debate and for inviting my delegation to participate. My delegation is also grateful for the presentations of Under-Secretaries-General Susana Malcorra and Alain Le Roy. This debate takes place at a time when various initiatives have been undertaken by Member States and the Secretariat, for they realized that the United Nations peacekeeping system is facing a difficult 09-3860] situation and wanted to transform this situation into an opportunity to improve things. We particularly appreciate the fact that the main theme of this debate is the interaction between those who plan and mandate peace operations and those who must implement those mandates. This is a matter of crucial significance for troop-contributing countries (TCCs). Much has been said about the importance of increasing the exchange of information and consultations with TCCs at the time of formulating and reviewing the mandates of peacekeeping operations. That is a clear recommendation of the Brahimi report (S/2000/809). However, those countries have had to participate effectively in those processes. It might be thought that this would simply mean one more complication in the already difficult process of reaching agreement on a Security Council resolution. But lately, this has become a common denominator in various forums where the future of peacekeeping operations is under consideration. There would thus appear to be a consensus about the need for a more fluent, substantive and consistent exchange among the main actors within the system. In that respect, Uruguay believes that obtaining first-hand information and experience and obtaining the perspective of countries whose troops are deployed in conflict zones could be extremely useful to the Security Council when it seeks to understand a situation and weigh the opportunities and threats on the ground. We should not underestimate the value of having broad support for mandates approved by the Council, in particular taking into account the nature of the new tasks which have been incorporated into mandates. These are more complex and require more robust rules of engagement, as for example in the case of the protection of civilians. While we also recognize that the Council has promoted that approach, seeking the widest possible consensus among all Member States would not only lead to greater legitimacy and less resistance to such actions being undertaken, but would also create greater commitment among all actors involved in implementation. For example, it should not be forgotten that the large majority of those who must implement civilian protection mandates in peacekeeping operations are troop-contributing countries that are developing countries with little opportunity to participate in or influence how those mandates are to be carried out. In another vein, and in agreement with what could be interpreted from the Secretariat's summary of the New Horizons document, the idea of creating a new agenda for partnership seems to be heading in that direction. Having said that, the next question is how we can make that interaction more effective and more in-depth. In the first place, Uruguay is aware that, as a troop-contributing country, we must make the most of each opportunity presented to us. For that reason we place special emphasis on our participation in the most substantive and constructive manner possible in each of the initiatives in which we have been invited to participate. Secondly, my country believes that open, direct and substantive dialogue that goes beyond existing formal mechanisms, between those who plan and mandate peacekeeping operations and those who must implement them, would benefit all of us for the reasons I have indicated and would help to build trust among the parties. That dialogue should take place before approving or renewing mandates. Along those lines, we wish to recall the good experience we had when we participated in a meeting of the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations, convened by Japan a few weeks ago. There my delegation had an opportunity both to state its views and to listen to other troop- contributing countries. We were able to listen and to explain our perspective and our main concerns about two missions in which we are heavily involved: the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On that issue, I wish to stress that the search for greater interaction and more consultation should not be limited to the relationship between Council members and troop-contributing countries. It should be extended to include the Secretariat, both at Headquarters and on the ground. There is ample room for improvement in that area. Undoubtedly, that issue has been influenced by the clear and incomprehensible situation of the underrepresentation of the nationals of TCCs in staff positions on the ground and in senior Secretariat posts. Allow me now to turn to a topic which I would have preferred to avoid, but which under the circumstances find myself obliged to address. Like everybody else here, Uruguay is deeply committed to the success of this system. For that reason, and despite the complex circumstances in which peacekeeping operations are carried out, it has continued to systematically renew its commitment, which is basically to contribute Blue Helmets. However, a small developing country like ours, which assigns a very high percentage of its military personnel to United Nations peacekeeping, finds it very difficult to maintain that level of participation when the delays in the reimbursements are as long as those that we are currently experiencing. We understand that that state of affairs affects many troop-contributing countries, which, in the vast majority, are developing countries. That is why we urge all Member States, in particular the main financial contributors, to redouble their efforts in order to ensure normal performance of the missions and to provide our countries with the usual compensation for putting their personnel and materiel at the service of the United Nations. We are aware that the global economic crisis, which affects us all, makes it difficult to fulfil financial commitments. However, we must not forget that United Nations peacekeeping, apart from its legitimacy, is a system with a high benefit-to-cost ratio, especially when compared with the cost in human lives and the high economic and social cost of conflicts. Despite the fact that the budget for peacekeeping operations has been rising and this year is close to $8 billion, that amount, although considerable, represents only 0.55 per cent of the global military expenditure of 2008, which was $1.47 trillion according to the data of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Lastly, allow me to state that Uruguay reiterates its commitment and its readiness to continue participating in the discussions on peacekeeping. It looks forward to the exchanges of views and the constructive proposals that will surely arise out of our discussion once the New Horizon document has been submitted by the Secretariat.

The President: I now give the floor to Mrs. Alice Mungwa, Senior Political Adviser at the Office of the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations.

Mrs. Mungwa: Allow me to join previous speakers in commending you, Mr. President, for organizing this important meeting and for the invitation extended to our Mission to participate. Thank you also for the concept note to facilitate the meeting. Our appreciation also goes to the Under-Secretaries- General for Field Support and for Peacekeeping Operations, Ms. Susana Malcorra and Mr. Alain Le Roy, for so kindly sharing the executive summary of their non-paper on the New Horizon and for their briefings to the Security Council this morning. The African Union certainly looks forward to receiving the full non-paper in order to continue engagement in that process. This important meeting is taking place at an equally important moment for the African Union because the preparatory meetings for the thirteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union are already under way in Sirte, Libya. I would therefore like once again to extend our apologies for the absence of my Ambassador, Her Excellency Mrs. Lila Hanitra Ratsifandrihamanana, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations, who is away from New York this week to attend those meetings. Issues of peace and security rank high on the agenda of the ongoing summit meetings of the African Union, and so, as we launch the discussions on the New Horizon for United Nations peacekeeping, we wish, at this initial stage, to express to the Security Council through you, Mr. President, the appreciation and strong support of the African Union for that important process. As the Security Council is aware, since its inception in 2002, the African Union has been actively involved in efforts for the resolution of conflicts and the furtherance of peace and security around the continent, building on the experience of the former Organization of African Unity. We wish to seize this opportunity to restate the profound appreciation of the African Union to the Security Council for its vital and continuous support for and cooperation with the African Union. We would also like to restate the appreciation of the African Union to all international partners and donors for their generous logistic, materiel and other assistance, as well as for their support for the peace efforts of the African Union. 09-3860] We would also like to take this opportunity to commend the role and the sacrifices of the troop- contributing countries (TCCs) and the police- contributing countries (PCCs), and, in particular, to pay tribute to the valiant men and women who have given their selfless service and paid the ultimate price in the service of peace and security in Africa and around the world. As you are aware, Mr. President, the relevant experiences and the lessons learned from the African peace support efforts helped inform the shaping of an enhanced vision for confronting peace and security challenges in Africa. That is the African Peace and Security Architecture, a major step of which was the establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union as the standing decision-making organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, and as the collective security and early warning arrangement to facilitate timely and efficient responses to conflict and crisis situations in Africa. The Council will be supported by the African Standby Force, the Panel of the Wise and the African Continental Early Warning System, which are currently being established. Various components of that African Peace and Security Architecture are, however, still in their infancy and experiencing teething problems. Thus African Union peace support efforts in the field are facing challenges in terms of mission planning, the mobilization of logistic, technical and other support, and there are weaknesses in the administrative capacities of the Organization. Those problems have been well articulated in various frameworks of the engagement between the African Union and the United Nations and, most recently, in the report of African Union-United Nations panel (S/2008/813), established by the Secretary- General pursuant to Security Council resolution 1809 of April 2008. As is known, at its l72nd and 178th meetings, held on 24 February and 13 March 2009 respectively, the Peace and Security Council of the African Union considered the report of that panel. The Peace and Security Council further participated in the debate of the Security Council on the report, held on 18 March 2009 (see S/PV.6092), and, as requested by the Security Council during that meeting, the African Union Commission has been working closely with the United Nations Secretariat, in particular towards the preparations for the report to be submitted by the Secretary-General later this year. We therefore encourage the Security Council to place special emphasis on the need to strengthen cooperation between the Security Council and regional organizations, and, in particular, the need for the Council to strengthen its support for peace support initiatives of the African Union in this new process of the New Horizon of United Nations peacekeeping. We wish to thank all previous speakers who have also echoed that call during this meeting. Finally, as you are aware, Mr. President, in the conceptualization of the African Peace and Security Architecture and in the conduct of its peace support operations, the African Union has always reaffirmed the primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. In that light, the African Union has maintained the conviction that its peace-support operations deployed with the authorization and the consent of the Security Council are conducted on behalf of the Council and the international community, in furtherance of international peace and security. We are therefore pleased to note that the executive brief of the non- paper by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support rightly couches the New Horizon for United Nations peacekeeping in a partnership framework - a partnership in terms of purpose, action and the future. The African Union clearly sees itself as a natural and integral part of that partnership. Indeed, we believe that the peace-support operations and efforts of the African Union have clearly demonstrated Africa's resolve to assume its fair share of the burden of international peace and security. In other words, the African Union stands fully ready to play its role in such a partnership with the United Nations and other stakeholders of the international community as a matter of shared vision, responsibility and ownership, in order to strengthen new hopes and confidence in efforts to pursue peace, security and development in Africa and around the world. Indeed, the launching of the first African Union- United Nations hybrid operation, in Darfur, was an important step in the evolution of peacekeeping operations. It revealed what the international community can achieve when working together in a coordinated and coherent partnership. We therefore strongly encourage the Security Council to draw on all the related, relevant and constructive ideas that have emerged from that special peacekeeping mission and from the work of other United Nations-related processes, such as that of the United Nations Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the Council's Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations and other initiatives taken by Member States, as well as on the strategic exchanges that have taken place in the past few years between the African Union and the United Nations. We also encourage the Security Council to draw from the overall process of United Nations reform, and in particular Security Council reform.

The President: I now give the floor to Under- Secretary-General Le Roy to respond to some of the comments made.

Mr. Le Roy (spoke in French): In order not to prolong this debate, which has already been very lengthy, I should just like to say a few words of gratitude for the richness of the numerous statements that have been made. Those interventions clearly illustrate the sustained interest that exists with regard to peacekeeping operations. This meeting has been particularly useful for us in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support at a time when we are putting the finishing touches on our New Horizon non-paper on peacekeeping. I can assure all the Member States that have spoken today that we are going to do our best to cover in our non-paper all the comments that have been made today, especially those on the need to make full use of existing instruments and the reforms that have already been announced. We have also taken due note of the references to resolution 1353 (2001), which clearly emphasizes consultations with troop-contributing countries. All of that will be reflected in our non-paper. The last point that I wish to stress relates to an issue that has been referred to several times. Clearly, the non-paper is not an end in itself; on the contrary, it is the beginning of a process of dialogue. In the next two weeks, we will be putting forth the non-paper to launch a discussion in various bodies, including of course with the Security Council and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, which has the primary responsibility for this issue. Following consultations with the various stakeholders, we will issue a formal report for the next session of the General Assembly. I believe that Ms. Malcorra would also like to say a few concluding words.

The President: I now give the floor to Ms. Malcorra to respond to comments and questions made.

Ms. Malcorra: I would like to thank all the members of the Council and the other representatives who were involved in this very useful conversation. Let me just say, very briefly, what our next steps are going to be. Clearly, the New Horizon non-paper, to which Alain has just referred, is a chapeau work that will be derived from different initiatives, in particular the support strategy that we have briefly discussed today. The initial non-paper that we are going to issue in July, which we referred to earlier today, will be an initial step to serve as a basis for consultation, not a final document. It will be a way to start a feedback mechanism that will provide reasonable grounds on which we can base discussions. Of course, as I said earlier today, our idea is to have a document to submit at the next session of the General Assembly for adoption. We have no doubt that the support strategy will have some implications that will require General Assembly approval. We have listened today. We will continue to listen. We hope to be very engaged so that, by the time we have to issue a formal document for approval by the General Assembly, we will have sufficiently understood the concerns and views of Member States and have come to a conclusion that Member States are ready to endorse. This will continue for the next few months, during which we will be speaking a lot with Member States.

The President: I thank the Under-Secretaries- General for the additional comments. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. Before I adjourn the meeting, I would like to thank everyone for their participation in, and contribution to, today's debate. I am particularly indebted to Under- Secretaries-General Le Roy and Malcorra, as well as to the representatives of the major troop, police and financial contributors for their insightful and thought- provoking comments and proposals. I am confident 09-3860] that the views expressed today around the table will contribute to the many parallel debates under way in various forums. We particularly look forward to the Secretariat's New Horizon non-paper, which will constitute an important basis for our work ahead. 09-38601 Last but not least, we remember fondly all the United Nations peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. With those thoughts, I shall now adjourn the meeting. The meeting rose at 5.30 p.m. 27