S/PV.9892 Security Council

In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations; Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon; and Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The intention for this meeting is for it to be as interactive as possible. We look forward to questions between Council members and the Force Commanders. I give the floor to Mr. Lacroix.

I thank the Security Council for giving me the opportunity to speak during the annual conference of heads of military components here in New York. I am also pleased to be joined by two Force Commanders, Major General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). This annual gathering is an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to peace and security through the critical work of United Nations peacekeeping. This week, the Force Commanders will look at case studies and conduct a systemic review of challenges and best practices, delving into critical topics such as strategic communication initiatives, resource scarcity, progress achieved in the areas of women and peace and security and protection of civilians, the leveraging of technology for peacekeeping operations and the pivotal role of training in improving and adapting peacekeeping operations. Before I continue, I would like to express my gratitude to Germany for hosting, in Berlin in May, the upcoming peacekeeping ministerial meeting. It will be a very important opportunity for high-level discussions on the future of peacekeeping and the relevant necessary reforms. Of course, we also hope that the meeting will be an opportunity for Member States to agree on a collective approach to addressing current challenges to peacekeeping, adapting existing operations and working with us to prepare for possible new peacekeeping operations. (spoke in English) I wish to focus on the enduring importance, evolution and potential future role of ceasefire monitoring as one of the longest-standing tasks and core competencies of United Nations peacekeeping. From its inception, peacekeeping was conceived as a means to monitor a ceasefire or truce, and this task has shaped the core principles and operational ethos of our missions. The original mandate of United Nations peacekeepers was to provide impartial observation, meticulous reporting, and confidence-building support for the political processes aimed at resolving conflicts peacefully. Then, as now, effective monitoring of ceasefires crucially depends on a strict adherence to the core peacekeeping principles of consent, impartiality and non-use Our digital transformation strategy, under the Action for Peacekeeping Plus framework, is firmly placed within our strategies and is designed to enhance our missions by providing better tools to detect violations swiftly, coordinate responses effectively and maintain the trust of the communities they serve. Integrated platforms enable the tracking of ceasefire violations in near real time, while mobile tools facilitate the rapid reporting and verification of incidents. The Unite Aware platform, for instance, has changed how we monitor critical zones. In Cyprus, the mission has leveraged that shared situational awareness tool to monitor the buffer zone and shift from reactive responses to anticipatory, data- driven decision-making. Our future monitoring efforts will need to address threats that extend beyond the traditional physical domains. Influence operations, cyberattacks and other hybrid threats challenge our conventional models and demand fresh, innovative approaches. (spoke in French) The Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1) reaffirmed the importance of peacekeeping as an instrument of the United Nations, underlining the need for it to adapt to new challenges and new realities. We have already taken steps in that direction. In Lebanon, for instance, in a context that has drastically changed since the cessation of hostilities of 27 November 2024, UNIFIL has adopted a new posture to be fully responsive to the new reality and is instrumental in supporting the parties in upholding the cessation of hostilities, through the five objectives of its adaptation plan. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Council recently called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and expressed its readiness to consider a possible role for MONUSCO in the implementation and monitoring of a ceasefire agreement. MONUSCO stands ready to assume such a role, should the Security Council mandate it. During my visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in March, the President and the Prime Minister welcomed that prospect. It is also worth recalling MONUSCO’s existing support of the regional Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism under the supervision of the International Conference for the Great Lakes Region. I would also like to note that the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has adapted its concept of operations and is currently implementing it, and that will lead to an adaptation of the footprint and availability of forces and police units of that operation. Indeed, we had a meeting this morning with MINUSCA to consider all those matters. All that is to say that a number of significant efforts are currently (spoke in English) I wish to again emphasize that, while peacekeeping can be an integral part of a ceasefire monitoring regime, the success of any ceasefire remains the sole responsibility of the parties. Indeed, that applies to every element of the mandate, and we wish to emphasize that, as we proceed, the support of Member States, host Governments and host parties, and more importantly, the support of the Security Council for our peacekeeping operations will continue to be absolutely essential if we are to succeed in the implementation of our mandates. Before I conclude, I want to acknowledge the brave peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace, including the five who were killed this year and the 42 who sustained injuries owing to malicious acts. I want to express our full solidarity with them and their families.

I thank Mr. Lacroix for his briefing. I now give the floor to Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz. Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz: I thank you, Mr. President, for the opportunity to talk about the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). It is really a pleasure to present in the following minutes the situation of the mission and our challenges. The monitoring of the cessation of hostilities is a key task in UNIFIL’s mandate, as described in resolution 1701 (2006). The mission is of even bigger importance after the hostilities of October 2023 and November 2024, but it has proved to be more complicated. Since the cessation of hostilities, which came into effect on 27 November 2024, and in the absence of a permanent ceasefire, one of the main obstacles has always been that the parties interpret differently their obligations under resolution 1701 (2006) and now with respect to the cessation of hostilities understanding. The strategic context and the balance of forces have now significantly changed. We may finally see a slow process towards a more permanent ceasefire, but that may still take a long time. It would require an internal political process in Lebanon to deal with issues, including Hizbullah’s and other non-State armed groups’ military capabilities, and a political track between Lebanon and Israel to deal with questions of sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as border demarcation. Host State consent to the presence of 10,000 foreign troops remains obviously key to implementing the mandate. UNIFIL is deployed only on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line in an area that is overwhelmingly Shia and resistance minded. Israeli withdrawal and a good understanding of the political sensitivities in Lebanon and the perception of the local population in the UNIFIL area of responsibility are key for troop acceptance, freedom of movement and a good partnership with the Lebanese armed forces. Impartiality, effective outreach and timely reactions to disinformation and misinformation are the tools at the mission’s disposal. In accomplishing our mandate, disinformation and misinformation are increasing threats that our mission is facing. Those challenges demand that we adapt our approach to safeguard our credibility, project our impartiality, strengthen trust and enhance the effectiveness of our operations. To counter those challenges, we must establish a strong, fact-based, narrative based on community engagement, operational presence and a human approach. We must now capitalize on the perception of credibility we have cultivated over the past 15 months through clear, factual and verified statements. Our messages Fact-checking and verification remain at the heart of our communication efforts. We implemented a system in which messages are centrally formulated and disseminated to all the units with an outreach component. Effective communication is a shared responsibility across our entire mission. It is essential that Government actors also make public statements to sensitize the population to UNIFIL’s role and mandate; to avoid misperception, for example, that UNIFIL works at the behest of Israel, that peacekeepers have a hidden agenda, that UNIFIL is an occupation force and so forth. Increased Lebanese Armed Forces deployment will also contribute to troop acceptance. More combined operational activities are currently focused not only on taking effective control of the area of operation, but also on road clearance and the detection and removal of the massive quantities of unexploded ordnance. Vegetation removal by the Israel Defense Forces has also uprooted the numerous minefields north of the Blue Line. Our presence in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces will be a factor of reassurance for Lebanese returnees and facilitate access for humanitarian and development partners to start recovery and reconstruction. A political process towards a permanent ceasefire should be of the highest priority. The United States and French involvement helped to de-escalate hostilities in November 2024. A monitoring mechanism has been established, but this is still a fragile process and, to date, only military-to-military contacts have taken place. A political layer will be required to get the parties on track to the full implementation of resolution 1701 (2006) and facilitate open discussions on a potentially contentious border delineation process. UNIFIL does not have a political mandate to enter into such negotiations. The United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, with whom UNIFIL coordinates closely, is fully engaged with external partners to create the conditions for a political process to take place. UNIFIL can help make required security arrangements and support the maintenance of stability along the Blue Line to avoid escalation. However, in order to do so, we need to adapt ourselves to the situation, if we want to fulfil our mandate. A key factor in UNIFIL’s adaptation is the use of new technology. For that reason, we have decided to develop an adaptation plan, focusing on five key objectives: supporting the mechanism, strengthening our operational posture, securing support from local communities, ensuring integration with broader peacebuilding efforts and enhancing the mission’s profile. Regarding the final objective, enhancing UNIFIL’s capabilities is crucial. On the one hand, we have already strengthened our explosive ordnance disposal and engineer capabilities, although certain steps are still ongoing to fully meet our requirements. On the other hand, we have devised a plan to introduce new capabilities, leveraging technology to better equip UNIFIL in fulfilling its mandate. Technology has already proved helpful to peacekeeping operations and, in UNIFIL, it could contribute to enhancing the safety and security of peacekeepers and to covering gaps in monitoring. Current radar capabilities, for instance, do not capture low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles or air strikes. The most important capabilities could be drones, ground radar systems and cameras, the advantage of which would be to monitor large areas, complementing the deployment of peacekeepers and, for longer durations, to inform troops on the ground in real time about what they are going to encounter. In sum, the use of technology would enhance the mission’s capacity to monitor and report on violations of resolution 1701 (2006), and the acceptance by the parties of such use of technology would be a testament to the parties’ commitment to resolution 1701 (2006) and the cessation of hostilities.

I thank Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz for his briefing. I now give the floor to Lieutenant General Gomes. Lieutenant General Gomes: It is a privilege to participate in today’s discussion on the importance of peacekeeping and the need for missions to adapt to new challenges and new realities, including as they relate to ceasefire monitoring. As the Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), I constantly assess challenges and opportunities for the force to best deliver on its mandate and ultimately reduce the threat of armed groups to a level that can be managed by the Congolese authorities. MONUSCO is one of the largest multidimensional peacekeeping missions. It is known for its ability to adapt to new challenges and for its commitment to innovation, including the use of new technology, sustained engagement with local communities and the deployment of quick-reaction forces and mobile units to respond to threats. It has done so through strong partnerships with national authorities and regional organizations. I will focus my presentation today on technology, the role of the host country and strengthened partnerships as key to successful ceasefire monitoring by peacekeeping operations. With regard to technology for ceasefire monitoring and related potential and threats, MONUSCO possesses certain surveillance technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles for aerial reconnaissance and ground-based radar systems for perimeter security, which have significantly enhanced our situational awareness and operational efficiency, reducing risks to our personnel and improving mandate delivery. Those tools could equally be deployed for ceasefire monitoring. However, in order to ensure that the full potential of those technologies is realized, we need to ensure that they are fully integrated into our data platforms, the Situational Awareness Geospatial Enterprise and Unite Aware, in order to generate timely and actionable intelligence. With real-time information on the movements of armed groups and peacekeepers, we will be better resourced to adapt posture, change plans, mitigate risks and reassess operations. While important to peacekeeping, surveillance technologies have also been used by armed groups, militia and criminal networks. In recent months, we have observed the use of readily available drones for reconnaissance by armed groups and the exploitation of encrypted messaging apps for coordination and propaganda dissemination, circumventing traditional monitoring methods. That, coupled with a willingness to operate outside the bounds of traditional State control, creates an adversary that is both unpredictable and difficult to counter. In order to effectively address those threats, we have adapted our procurement and force generation strategies to leverage the latest capabilities from both industry and contributing nations within weeks and months rather than years. In addition to adapting to new technological threats, we must also combat the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, which undermine the credibility of peacekeeping missions and jeopardize mandate delivery. To counter misinformation and disinformation, MONUSCO has proactively circulated factual evidence across multiple communication platforms. Training peacekeepers to With regard to the host State in ceasefire monitoring, the ability to maintain the long-term consent of host States and local populations is crucial to the success of any peacekeeping mission. To that end, MONUSCO and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo have worked jointly to define MONUSCO’s priorities and objectives, including in the context of its gradual, responsible and sustainable transition. In that context, MONUSCO continues to conduct joint operations with the Forces armées de la République démocratique du Congo in order to achieve the Mission’s end state of reducing the threat of armed groups to a level that can be managed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Ensuring that host State authorities actively participate in monitoring mechanisms helps strengthen trust and operational efficiency. By facilitating access, sharing intelligence and ensuring accountability, host States become key enablers of successful peacekeeping operations. MONUSCO’s relationship with the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of collaboration and transparency to ensure common objectives. Training and capacity-building initiatives for local law enforcement and military personnel further reinforce stability and create a sustainable peace framework. As for strengthening partnerships in ceasefire monitoring, it is vital for effective ceasefire monitoring. MONUSCO has consistently supported regional initiatives, leveraging its knowledge, presence and capabilities in support of the Nairobi and Luanda processes, including support for the Angolan-led reinforced ad hoc verification mechanism and most recently the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as mandated in resolution 2746 (2024). That commitment underscores the essential role of partnership in achieving a sustainable and effective ceasefire and is crucial for the success of any future ceasefire monitoring mandate. Joint monitoring mechanisms, information-sharing agreements and diplomatic initiatives can help to foster a more comprehensive and inclusive peacekeeping strategy. Notably, MONUSCO’s established partnership with the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, demonstrates our commitment to jointly shouldering efforts and ensuring complementarity in ceasefire monitoring. That collaboration facilitates real-time information-sharing and joint operational planning, which are crucial for effective mandate implementation. In addition, MONUSCO must leverage partnerships with private sector technology firms to enhance surveillance and intelligence-sharing capabilities. Collaboration with telecommunications providers can help to establish mobile-based early-warning systems, empowering civilians to report ceasefire violations quickly and efficiently. In conclusion, while the role of technology in ceasefire monitoring cannot be overstated, the success of our mission is not solely dependent on technology. Effective ceasefire monitoring depends on the continued cooperation and consent of the host State and local populations. Trust and confidence must be maintained through transparency, accountability and effective communication. Lastly, strengthening partnerships with regional organizations, civil society groups and international stakeholders is critical to the sustainability of our peacekeeping mission. As we move forward, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to peace, security and human dignity. Let us continue to innovate, adapt and work together in the pursuit of a safer and more stable world for all.

I thank Lieutenant General Gomes for his briefing. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

We are grateful to Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix; Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, the Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); and Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, the Head of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), for their informative briefings. Through the Force Commanders, we would like to thank all military peacekeepers for conscientiously carrying out the tasks entrusted to them to maintain peace and security in complex conflict situations. Military components are particularly important in United Nations peacekeeping efforts. After all, it is precisely the military components that form the bedrock of the peacekeeping activities of our global Organization. The first mandate with their participation is really what represents the basic principles of peacekeeping: consent of the parties, impartiality and the non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate. Furthermore, monitoring ceasefire regimes is something that United Nations military observers were doing long before the emergence of the actual concept of United Nations peacekeeping. Peacekeepers keep meticulous record of all violations by both sides, and that information forms the basis of the Secretary-General’s reports to the Security Council, which in turn can consider taking appropriate measures in respect of perpetrators. For example, one of the main tasks assigned to UNIFIL — as set out in foundational resolution 1701 (2006) — is to monitor the cessation of hostilities along the Blue Line. Without that monitoring, the Security Council would have never learned, for example, that since the ceasefire was established, 50 times more shelling has been recorded coming from Israel rather than from north of the Blue Line — and that is of the utmost importance when we want to establish which side is escalating a conflict. If the Blue Helmets were not present in Lebanon, the Council would simply have no objective data regarding compliance with the cessation of hostilities regime. It is clear that that function cannot be performed by any narrow-format structures. For example, after the establishment of the truce on 26 November 2024, a special monitoring mechanism was set up in Naqoura under United States leadership and with the participation of France. Nevertheless, that mechanism does not provide us with information on violations. In theory, the structure was supposed to receive complaints regarding possible violations by Israel and Lebanon, collate and verify the data, and assist the sides in complying with the peace agreements. However, what the participants in the mechanism were going to do with that information was not made clear to us. Therefore, according to our information, the Israeli side in most cases is simply ignoring the monitoring mechanism and bearing no responsibility whatsoever for its actions, which, in essence, nullifies any point of the Naqoura mechanism. In a clear example of that, Israel decided to retain control over five strategic elevated positions and over the border areas, as well as to organize two buffer zones in violation of the ceasefire agreements. The ad hoc monitoring mechanism is silent in that regard, in contrast to the public outcry on the part of UNIFIL. When it comes to UNIFIL, ground and air patrols, which were basically suspended during Israel’s autumn campaign in 2024, play an important role in monitoring the ceasefire. We note with satisfaction that the peacekeeping mission’s adaptation plan provides for an increase in the number of patrols to monitor the situation along the Blue Line, while establishing closer coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. We should emphasize that access to the private sector, including with the view to investigating what happened, can be carried out only under the supervision of the Lebanese Army. We would also like to raise the question of adapting ceasefire monitoring mechanisms to new threats, including the spread of disinformation and fake news. In the Lebanese context, that issue seems to be somewhat far-fetched. One can talk long and hard on the future of peacekeeping, which is an extremely popular topic at the moment, and at the same time fail to note the fact of Israel’s ongoing occupation of Lebanese territories, which actually poses a direct threat not only to the ceasefire monitoring regime, but also to the work of peacekeepers in general. For example, the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2025/153) notes that violations of the freedom of movement of peacekeepers attributed to the Lebanese side were often linked to the general resentment of the population towards the Israeli occupation, and the Blue Helmets were simply indirectly affected. We believe that there is no alternative to both sides  — Israel and Lebanon — returning to the implementation of all their obligations under resolution 1701 (2006). We note that the resolution stipulates Israel’s obligations to cease all military operations, withdraw its armed forces from southern Lebanon, stop the occupation of Lebanese land and violations of the sovereignty of the Republic of Lebanon and includes provisions on the withdrawal of Hizbullah formations north of the Litani River. With regard to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, resolution 2773 (2025), which was adopted unanimously, reaffirmed the Council’s readiness to consider the possibility of involving MONUSCO in the monitoring of an eventual ceasefire once a relevant agreement has been reached through regional diplomatic efforts, under the auspices of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community. Russia is prepared to discuss this with our colleagues in the Council if there is a request to do so from those subregional organizations. Furthermore, we believe that if countries of the region formally request the involvement of MONUSCO in monitoring the ceasefire regime, then specific modalities for the participation of peacekeepers need to be worked out through direct and open dialogue with our African colleagues. We also trust that there will be specific recommendations coming from the leadership of the Mission and the Secretariat. We believe that this would enable the Council to take an informed decision during discussions on the parameters of MONUSCO’s mandate. What will stand out in such discussions is the question of how things are going to unfold in South Kivu, from where the Blue Helmets withdrew last summer. Given The Russian Federation, as a troop-contributing country, is striving to enhance its contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. Currently, through the Ministry of Defence, military observers and officers are serving on missions in the Central African Republic, Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Middle East, South Sudan and Cyprus. The effective execution of the tasks facing military observers requires proper staffing. Russia is making its contribution by training military peacekeepers, including foreigners, through programmes certified by the Secretariat to train staff officers and military observers of the United Nations. Our country has unique experience in the professional training of Blue Helmets, which we are ready to share.

We thank the French delegation for organizing this meeting. We express our appreciation to Under- Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and to the Force Commanders, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz and Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, for their valuable work and contributions. We appreciate and consider it essential to receive ongoing advice from peacekeeping Force Commanders and field officers. Hearing first-hand about lessons distilled from experiences in Lebanon and about the current challenges of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo helps us ensure that the Council’s decisions reflect operational realities and that we can constructively adapt missions to new challenges. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon has played a key role in monitoring the cessation of hostilities and supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty. It is imperative that all parties respect the terms of the Mission’s mandate and ensure its security so that it can continue its work effectively. The military and police components will remain essential. However, we believe that it is necessary to complement peace operations with a stronger civilian and political component. We believe that only a comprehensive approach can pave the way for reconciliation, confidence-building and sustaining peace. Panama believes that any ceasefire monitoring should go hand in hand with Peacebuilding Fund projects and that the Peacebuilding Commission should play a key role during that process. Follow-up efforts for reconciliation and peacebuilding should be led by host States and local actors. Post-ceasefire peacebuilding depends on national ownership of the processes and on strategies based on confidence-building and the depolarization of the parties involved, while inclusive governance leading to genuine reconciliation must be ensured. We consider it essential to include confidence-building mechanisms between the military and police components and local authorities and communities. Similarly, it is essential to include initiatives that strengthen democratic institutions and processes, promote the rule of law and facilitate the ongoing participation of civil society, including women and youth. It is crucial, however, that all those efforts be accompanied by investments in development, education, health, employment and economic reconstruction so as to avoid relapses into social tensions that could reignite conflict. In that context, collaboration with regional organizations, such as the African Union, international financial institutions, multilateral development banks and the private sector can Finally, if we want ceasefire monitoring to be an effective tool for peace, we must also take advantage of new technologies without losing sight of the importance of countering disinformation and ensuring the inclusion of all actors in reconciliation and peacebuilding, in full respect for human rights at all times. That is the only way to achieve sustainable peace. As a country committed to the protection of civilians and international humanitarian law, Panama reaffirms its support for United Nations peace operations, whose role will continue to be fundamental to safeguarding and guaranteeing global peace. Panama will continue to collaborate with the members of the Security Council and other interested parties to promote stability and peaceful resolution of conflicts.

I commend the French presidency for organizing this briefing on the vital role of United Nations peacekeeping operations in monitoring ceasefires. This briefing is timely, in particular in the light of the Pact for the Future’s (General Assembly resolution 79/1) emphasis on adapting peacekeeping to meet contemporary challenges and ahead of the Berlin Peacekeeping Ministerial next month. I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz and Lieutenant General Gomes for their informative briefings. We now have a greater understanding of the challenges that our peacekeepers face in executing their mandates and of the possible solutions, particularly as they relate to monitoring ceasefires. Drawing on the experiences of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, advancing the capability and adaptability of that aspect of peacekeeping operations demands thoughtful consideration and innovation. In that regard, Guyana offers the following five reflections in response to the guiding questions posed for the meeting. First, with regard to the role of technology, already mentioned by our briefers and colleagues who spoke before me, it is over a decade since the Expert Panel on Technology and Innovation in United Nations Peacekeeping first examined the question of the use of technology in the peacekeeping domain. Many of its recommendations remain valid. Guyana continues to emphasize the transformative potential of modern technology in ceasefire monitoring and believes that the integration of advanced surveillance equipment, such as drones, satellite imagery and ground sensors, would significantly improve operational efficiency and situational awareness, while also reducing the risk of personal harm to personnel on the ground. With a reported increase in hostile acts affecting missions and growing impediments to physical monitoring, missions can increasingly rely on technology to overcome certain obstacles, to extend the range of monitoring and to increase the pace of data synthesis. While technology cannot replace all the tasks that peacekeepers carry out in ceasefire monitoring and verification, it can certainly enhance the efficiency of their work and the safety and security of mission personnel. Notwithstanding the benefits outlined, Guyana also stresses the importance of ensuring that the introduction of new technologies is done in a manner that respects human rights, international law and the sovereignty of host States. Secondly, on adapting to new threats, the proliferation of disinformation and misinformation presents unique challenges to United Nations peacekeeping efforts. Often those actions are politically motivated and can exacerbate the gap between local perceptions and expectations about peacekeeping missions and the missions’ actual mandates and capabilities. Guyana advocates for the development of robust public information strategies, including the leveraging of social media and other platforms suitable to the local environment and the boosting of engagement and partnerships with local communities to counter those threats effectively. A good Thirdly, as to host State consent and its long-term impact, maintaining the consent of the host State and the confidence of the population are paramount to the success of any peacekeeping operation. Ceasefire monitoring mandates must be implemented in a manner that respects the sovereignty of the host State and addresses the needs of local communities. Long-term sustainability requires building local capacity and fostering inclusiveness in peace processes, thereby empowering host States to assume responsibility for their own security. In Lebanon, Cyprus and other areas of peacekeeping operations, missions play a crucial role in the Government’s expansion of authority, providing humanitarian assistance and supporting community development. Those successes must be commended and become the standard for all peacekeeping operations. Fourthly, when it comes to the role of parties to conflict, effective ceasefire monitoring necessitates the active participation and cooperation of all parties to conflict, including the host State. There must be clear communication channels and mechanisms for dialogue to address violations and build trust. In that regard, the United Nations must ensure that the parties actively participate in the ceasefire monitoring process so as to reinforce ownership and accountability, thereby contributing to the success of peacekeeping efforts. We call upon all parties to existing ceasefire agreements to demonstrate the political will to participate and the required flexibility to make the processes work as intended. Fifthly, partnerships are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of ceasefire monitoring. Deeper collaboration with regional and subregional organizations, such as the African Union, and with civil society, including women and youth, can provide valuable support and expertise. We must promote local ownership of the ceasefire monitoring process by empowering local communities to play a central role and leveraging their networks and resources to enhance monitoring capacities. We must also continue to engage troop- and police-contributing countries and financial contributors, as those partnerships are essential to ensuring that peacekeeping operations have the necessary resources and capabilities to guarantee their success. In conclusion, Guyana remains committed to the vision of United Nations peacekeeping as a dynamic and adaptable instrument of the United Nations. We are confident that, through collective action, the Council can help to address the current challenges and strengthen the ability of peacekeeping operations to fulfil their mandates effectively.

I wish to begin by thanking France for organizing this meeting, Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing and Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz and Lieutenant General Gomes for their valuable contributions. We highly appreciate the information and the lessons learned on the ground, and we are always interested in learning about the main challenges and possible improvements. I therefore thank them very much again. The changing nature of conflict, rapid advances in technology and quickly shifting geopolitical dynamics present unique challenges to peacekeeping. Ceasefire monitoring has been a core task of United Nations peacekeeping since its earliest missions, and today it remains a central responsibility of several operations. While First, on the role of technology, in today’s rapidly evolving operational environment, the use of emerging and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, can play a critical role in enhancing situational awareness and in improving the effectiveness of ceasefire monitoring and the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel. By leveraging and incorporating new and advanced technological tools, peace operations can achieve a more precise, reliable and timely assessment of ceasefire compliance, which is vital for maintaining peace in conflict zones. In an increasingly dangerous operational environment, it also helps to minimize United Nations personnel’s exposure. Combining technological tools with human expertise is essential for success. Secondly, ceasefire monitoring has a direct impact on the long-term consent of host States and populations to peacekeeping operations. Effective, impartial and transparent monitoring on the basis of a clear and well-funded mandate builds trust and maintains legitimacy. In contrast, monitoring failures and perceived bias can quickly erode confidence and reduce support. Thus, monitoring must be credible, transparent and inclusive. Thirdly, on the role of all parties to the conflict and that of the host States, all parties to the conflict must effectively support ceasefire monitoring by granting full access, sharing information and respecting the independence of monitoring. The host State must ensure that peacekeepers operate without interference and must investigate ceasefire breaches expeditiously and transparently. All parties should be held accountable for violations and engage in discussions to improve monitoring. Fourthly, the role of partnership is fundamental to strengthening ceasefire monitoring. Ceasefire monitoring is a task that cannot be carried out by the United Nations alone. By collaborating with regional organizations, local authorities and non-governmental actors, peacekeeping missions can enhance their monitoring capabilities. Partnerships enhance monitoring by making it more effective, relevant, transparent and accountable. As the United Nations explores the future of peacekeeping, the ability to support and monitor ceasefires should remain a core part. Monitoring alone will not bring peace. However, when done effectively, it can reduce tensions, build trust and create space for political solutions. Without those, monitoring risks becoming but a technical activity. In conclusion, we once again wish to thank the Heads of military components for their service, and we look forward to hearing more about their experience on the ground.

I would like to thank Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under- Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz, Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), for their valuable briefings. Greece expresses its gratitude to the men and women peacekeepers who are committed to serving under the most challenging circumstances and honours the memory of all those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. At the same time, we condemn in the strongest possible terms all attacks and hostile acts against peacekeepers, which are directed against the United Nations system itself. Although the mandates of peace operations have been dramatically expanded in recent years to cover a multitude of issues and agendas, such as the protection of civilians, women and peace and security, youth, peace and security and climate, peace and security, there is a task that always was, and remains, at the core of any traditional peace operation, and that is the observation of ceasefires. Regarding UNIFIL, as we have previously stated in the Security Council, for years, the mission has played a constructive role in monitoring the cessation of hostilities, thereby enabling the full and sustainable implementation of the ceasefire and ultimately long-lasting peace in the region. Greece will continue to have an active presence in this United Nations mission, with the participation of highly qualified and gender-balanced staff. The continuously deteriorating situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is a source of constant concern, specifically owing to the severe humanitarian repercussions of the crisis. The Council must pursue the full implementation of its recent resolution 2773 (2024), which sent a clear and strong message to the Mouvement du 23 mars to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from Goma, Bukavu and all other controlled areas. The role of MONUSCO will be crucial when a ceasefire is achieved in that context, and we stand by to further support that. Another mission of particular interest to my country is the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). In that context, Greece reiterates its satisfaction at the recent unanimous adoption of resolution 2723 (2024) to renew the mandate of UNFICYP for 12 months. Through that resolution, the Council expressed its strong support for the mission, which plays an invaluable role in maintaining peace and security and de-escalating tensions in the buffer zone in Cyprus. Maintaining a safe and secure environment is crucial in order to support the efforts of the Secretary- General for the ultimate resumption of negotiations in line with United Nations parameters and the relevant Security Council resolutions. Allow me to highlight three ways in which the monitoring of ceasefire agreements by peace operations can be improved. First, technology can provide tremendous possibilities for the enhancement of operational efficiency and the reduction of risks to personnel. Just last Friday, Greece, together with France and the Republic of Korea, requested the convening of an Arria formula Council meeting on harnessing safe, inclusive, trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) for the maintenance of international peace and security, during which we had the chance to discuss opportunities created by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence for peacekeeping operations. As was mentioned by many participants in that meeting, AI-related technologies could be harnessed for peacekeeper training, logistical support, landmine detection, mapping and clearance, surveillance or monitoring tasks. Conversely, it became clear that such technologies could also be misused to carry out malicious cyberattacks, disseminate hate speech or undermine populations’ trust in peacekeepers through disinformation campaigns. Secondly, the role of host States, local populations, parties to conflicts and even sometimes neighbouring or other interested States is crucial for the effective monitoring of ceasefire agreements by peace operations. Lessons learned in Mali, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere demonstrate the need to take into account the priorities and responsibilities of host countries and accountability Finally, Greece recognizes the growing importance of partnerships and cooperation between the United Nations and regional, subregional and relevant international organizations and arrangements, inter alia, in planning and conducting peacekeeping and strengthening coherence between their political strategies. In that respect, we echo all those asking to strengthen the role of partnerships in the monitoring of ceasefires by peace operations. Let me mention, as the best example of that, the strategic partnership between the United Nations and the European Union on peacekeeping. I also wish to commend the crucial role of the African Union and African subregional organizations and arrangements in efforts to prevent, mediate and settle conflicts on the African continent and their contribution to peacekeeping efforts in the region, particularly in dangerous environments with unconventional threats. In conclusion, as a troop-contributing country, Greece calls on the Council to continue to ensure that the monitoring of ceasefires maintains its central position in the mandates of peace operations, always with full respect for international law, in particular the Charter of the United Nations, international humanitarian law and human rights law.

At the outset, we would like to seize this opportunity to pay tribute to all peacekeepers for their bravery and heavy sacrifices in maintaining international peace and security. We wish to thank the French presidency for convening this important meeting and to convey our appreciation to Under- Secretary-General Lacroix and the Force Commanders of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for their comprehensive and insightful briefings. Despite years of debate on adapting United Nations peace operations to evolving challenges, no significant breakthroughs have been achieved yet. The request made through the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1) to the Secretary- General to undertake a review of all forms on United Nations peace operations is a welcome step. In that regard, we underline the importance of adopting an inclusive and comprehensive approach in the conduct of that review. The upcoming Berlin Ministerial Conference offers another opportunity to discuss adapting peacekeeping operations to new realities. Counted among the traditional missions of United Nations peace operations, ceasefire monitoring appears as an essential component of the relevant operations’ mandates. In that regard, I wish to underline the following aspects. First, regarding accountability, monitoring a ceasefire comes with responsibility and significant challenges for the parties to the conflict and the international community. In many cases, the Security Council has been briefed on flagrant violations of ceasefire, in accordance with the mission’s mandate. However, the reporting of those violations is usually followed by a concerning lack of action to hold the perpetrators accountable. That is clearly a matter of accountability, and without accountability, serious questions are naturally raised about the credibility of mandated United Nations operations on the ground and about the credibility of the Security Council. Thus, it is essential that our Council demonstrate a more robust posture in reacting to violations of ceasefire agreements. With a unified and strong voice from our Council, mandated United Nations operations would be provided with the needed political backing and the necessary authority to have the right and positive influence on the ground. Such violations, particularly within clearly defined buffer zones, represent not only a failure of hard-won and sealed agreements, but also a failure to uphold commitments endorsed by the international community. Thirdly and lastly, moving towards efficiency and addressing the challenge of adaptation requires stronger partnerships with regional actors. The role of regional organizations in assisting United Nations peace operations in fulfilling critical tasks, for instance, ceasefire monitoring, cannot be overemphasized. In that regard, we firmly believe that regional actors, such as the African Union and its subregional organizations, possess both the necessary capability and the required legitimacy to support the United Nations in undertaking such mandates, in accordance with the Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations. In that connection, the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo is an illustrative case in which the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community fulfil the requirement to be entrusted with a ceasefire monitoring mandate. That could be realized through important logistical support from the United Nations and MONUSCO to those subregional bodies. I wish to conclude by reiterating Algeria’s commitment to uphold the core principles of international law under which the respect of ceasefire agreements is an essential component. We insist once again on accountability, resources and regional partnerships to strengthen the work of the United Nations peace operations in monitoring ceasefire agreements.

I thank France for organizing this open meeting. I listened carefully to the briefings by Under-Secretary-General Jean- Pierre Lacroix, Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz and Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes. I would like to take this opportunity to pay my tribute to all peacekeepers serving in their respective areas of operations. In today’s turbulent and changing world, conflicts and hotspot issues keep flaring up. The maintenance of international peace and security is facing new situations, tasks and challenges. Against that background, the role of United Nations peacekeeping operations has become even more prominent and important. On the basis of respecting the three peacekeeping principles, we need to adapt to the changes to continuously improve and strengthen United Nations peacekeeping operations, especially their ceasefire monitoring capabilities, so as to create conducive conditions for the eventual resolution of the hotspot issues. Drawing on recent peacekeeping practices, I would like to make the following four points. First, we should constantly learn from experience and improve what we do. Peacekeeping operation is an important tool of the Council in maintaining international peace and security. Ceasefire monitoring, designed to ensure that all parties comply with ceasefire agreements, was an initial task of United Nations peacekeeping operations and remains an important mandate of many missions, such as the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara. Over the decades, United Nations peacekeeping operations have gained a wealth of experience in ceasefire monitoring with both positive and negative examples. It is important for us to comprehensively review the experiences, Secondly, ceasefire monitoring must serve political processes. All conflicts are ultimately settled at negotiation tables and all disputes should be resolved by political means. The goal of ceasefire monitoring is to win time and space for a political settlement. Without a parallel political process, ceasefire monitoring may degenerate from a peace stabilizer to a conflict-freezing agent and will not help achieve the desired goal. Currently, some Member States are pushing for a discussion of the role of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in monitoring the ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. In that regard, it is imperative to fully heed the views of the countries concerned and regional organizations. The pressing priority is to implement resolution 2773 (2025) to achieve an early ceasefire. Otherwise, there will be no ceasefire to monitor. Thirdly, technology should be used to empower ceasefire monitoring for better performance. With the development of science and technology, the forms, methods and means of armed conflicts are constantly evolving. Ceasefire monitoring also needs to stay current and update its capabilities to better fulfil its missions and tasks. Efforts must be made to unlock the potential of emerging technologies, explore the integration of more technical means into the whole process of ceasefire monitoring, improve the situational awareness and rapid response capabilities of missions, and enhance peacekeeping operations’ comprehensive performance. We must strengthen the sharing of early-warning and intelligence information related to ceasefire monitoring, enhance risk assessment and emergency responsibilities and protect the safety and security of peacekeepers. It should be stressed that technological means, such as drones, should be used in a way that respects the sovereignty of the host countries and takes their views into account. Fourthly, we need to effectively address the influence of disinformation and misinformation. Recent years have seen a rising trend of rumours and slander against United Nations peacekeeping operations, causing serious disturbances to their work. Host countries and other relevant parties must fulfil their duties and crack down on the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The relevant missions must also increase the transparency of their work and proactively strengthen communication and engagement with host countries, especially local communities, to further mutual understanding. They should harness technology to strengthen the screening and verification of peacekeeping-related information, make timely clarification on misleading information and contain the spread of disinformation. This year marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of China’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. Over the past 35 years, Chinese peacekeepers have undertaken many ceasefire monitoring tasks and made important contributions to facilitating compliance with relevant ceasefire agreements, maintaining regional peace and advancing political processes. Looking to the future, China will continue to participate actively in United Nations peacekeeping operations, support the United Nations ceasefire monitoring and capacity-building and contribute China’s strength to the maintenance of international peace and security.

I thank the French presidency for organizing this timely meeting. Let me also thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his briefing. I would like to specifically acknowledge the leadership of Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz and Lieutenant General de Mesquita Gomes in the very challenging circumstances in which the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo currently operate. Denmark thanks and commends them, and through them, the brave Blue Helmets, for their steadfast dedication to peace. Allow me to highlight four of those. First, the peacekeepers on the ground are the heart of any mission. Their areas of operation are often dangerous, vast and remote. The enhancement of their capabilities, including through technology, should be pursued, as we have heard many times this morning. That could include advanced surveillance cameras, drones and satellite imagery. Such capabilities would enable far greater coverage of areas of operations often rendered inaccessible by poor weather, terrain, security issues and scarce resources. That would, in turn, improve the safety and security of peacekeepers and the protection of civilians — goals that deserve the collective support of the Council. Secondly, any United Nations ceasefire monitoring mechanism should be tailored to the task. We must be taking into account the regional context, the new threats, such as drones, misinformation and disinformation, and the presence of armed groups and external actors. Likewise, we must recognize the comparative advantage of all stakeholders, including regional organizations. We should always consider and analyse the task at hand and systematically ask ourselves who is best suited to fulfil it. Thirdly, as so many speakers highlighted during the open debate in March, we should ensure that the political support and financial resources available to peacekeeping operations match the scope of the objectives that we want to achieve. That entails coordination across the entire planning process, from the Council through the Secretariat to the Fifth Committee. Fourthly and finally, I turn to an issue that is often mentioned but bears repeating today: we must uphold the core principle of the primacy of politics. Doing so will fundamentally affect both the success of individual missions and the development of peacekeeping as a whole. Denmark’s view is clear. Peacekeeping missions cannot and should not operate in a vacuum. They exist in support of a political objective. They are fully dependent on political support  — the support of the host nation, the parties to the conflict, the Security Council and the relevant regional and international stakeholders. Those actors need to assume their responsibility from the mission’s inception and throughout its entire life cycle, and they must operate in strict compliance with international law. If we fall short of that, we will be setting peacekeeping up for failure. At best, such an approach puts the Organization’s reputation at risk. At worst, it puts the brave Blue Helmets and those they seek to protect at risk. In conclusion, Denmark looks forward to cooperating with all Council members as we seek to make peace operations more fit for purpose and ready to adapt whenever that purpose needs to change.

I thank the French presidency for convening today’s meeting with the leaders of military components in peacekeeping missions. This discussion is timely and important as we seek to promote fresh thinking and a forward-looking vision for United Nations peace operations. I also United Nations peacekeeping remains an indispensable tool for the maintenance of international peace and security. Those missions have proven effective in managing ceasefire agreements and creating the space for political processes towards sustainable peace. As mandates have evolved to address the complex drivers of conflict and protect civilians, peacekeeping has become even more critical to ensuring compliance with ceasefire arrangements, international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Today’s meeting takes place at a time when peacekeeping operations are facing growing and complex challenges. Sierra Leone fully supports the Secretary-General’s New Agenda for Peace, which seeks to modernize the United Nations peace and security architecture to address emerging threats. That vision also aligns with the ambitions of the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), which calls for strengthened global governance frameworks, including in peace operations. We wish to emphasize the following points in that regard. First, the increasing violations of ceasefire agreements underscore the need to rethink peacekeeping operational frameworks. The progress made by current peacekeeping missions in de-escalating conflict, protecting civilians and strengthening local institutions is being undermined by resurging violence and diminishing trust in multilateral efforts. Missions in the Middle East, including UNIFIL and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, face significant constraints in containing violence and have even come under direct armed attack. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, MONUSCO continues to face serious challenges in responding effectively to the advancement of the Mouvement du 23 mars across the eastern regions. In the light of the global rise in violent conflict, the Council must continuously assess the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations in the evolving geopolitical environment and prioritize proactive preventive measures. Peacekeeping missions deployed to maintain ceasefires must be clearly mandated to support comprehensive political processes. Those mandates should outline clear objectives; defined scopes of operations; realistic timelines for the implementation of ceasefire elements, such as disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and the protection of civilians; and be well resourced. Coordination with stakeholders, especially those directly involved in or supporting implementation, is very critical. Secondly, Sierra Leone emphasizes the importance of collaborative mechanisms involving the United Nations, regional and subregional organizations, host Governments, troop-contributing countries, field missions and local communities in developing context-specific peacekeeping strategies. As underscored in the Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative, cooperation with host Governments is fundamental to building trust and achieving sustainable peace. Host country support and commitment to the ceasefire mandate are essential for successful implementation. In reconfiguring MONUSCO’s mandate, alignment with the African Union-led Thirdly, as modern conflicts become increasingly asymmetric and technologically sophisticated, peacekeeping missions must embrace innovation. Technologies such as drone surveillance, artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics can improve operational awareness and decision-making, while reducing risks to personnel. The Situational Awareness Geospatial Enterprise and other platforms should be further optimized and deployed across missions to enhance situational and strategic planning capacity. At the same time, the international community must urgently address the threats posed by hate speech, extremism and the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation. Those phenomena endanger peacekeeping, hinder ceasefire monitoring and fuel instability. In line with resolution 2686 (2023), peacekeeping and special political missions should systematically monitor and report on hate speech and extremism. That requires the deployment of dedicated strategic communications and media specialists, as well as investment in training, infrastructure and coordination processes by troop-contributing countries, Member States and international organizations. In conclusion, Sierra Leone reiterates that the safety and security of peacekeeping personnel must remain a priority. We condemn all forms of attacks against peacekeepers and call for full accountability. As we look ahead, and as peacekeeping operations evolve to address the root causes of conflict, Sierra Leone calls for renewed political commitment and global solidarity in pursuit of peace. Let us ensure that future peacekeeping efforts, guided by the New Agenda for Peace and the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), remain fit for purpose and anchored in cooperation, innovation and shared responsibility.

We thank you, Mr. President, for convening this important meeting on the occasion of the annual week of the Heads of Military Components of Peacekeeping Operations, and we welcome the presence of many of them in the Council Chamber today. We thank, in particular, Under-Secretary-General Jean- Pierre Lacroix; the Force Commander and Head of Mission of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz; and the Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Lieutenant General de Mesquita Gomes, for their insightful briefings. At the outset, let me pay tribute to the 4,423 peacekeepers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, including 181 Pakistani peacekeepers. We honour their memory, bravery and service. The military component is the backbone of United Nations peacekeeping. The Blue Helmets are not just the face of United Nations peacekeeping — they are its pride. They stand in the front lines in some of the most fragile and dangerous regions of the world. Peacekeeping remains one of the most effective instruments of the United Nations to help countries transition the difficult path from conflict to peace. Over the years it has evolved into a flexible and responsive multilateral tool, capable of adapting to complex and shifting threats and challenges. It is both cost-effective and deeply impactful. To date, the United Nations has deployed 71 peacekeeping operations, covering a wide range of multidimensional responsibilities. And yet the core original function of peacekeeping  — monitoring and observing ceasefires  — has endured. The first two missions — the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization and the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan — were established with that purpose and continue to hold relevance until this day. Of the 11 United Ceasefire monitoring by the United Nations has played a vital role in maintaining peace in several flashpoints, such as Jammu and Kashmir, the Golan Heights, Cyprus, Lebanon and Western Sahara. As impartial observers, peacekeepers serve as an early-warning mechanism and a deterrent to escalation. Earlier, United Nations peacekeeping missions tasked with monitoring ceasefires in Cambodia, El Salvador, Mozambique, Liberia, Guatemala and Sierra Leone successfully fulfilled their mandates, helping those countries move towards lasting peace. They are powerful testaments to what peacekeeping can achieve. To make the crucial function of ceasefire monitoring more effective, allow me to highlight a few key points. First, advances in sensing technologies can dramatically enhance ceasefire monitoring at a low cost. Drones, satellite imagery and other remote sensing tools and technologies should be integrated into missions to provide real-time, comprehensive situational awareness. Secondly, partnerships with regional and subregional organizations can amplify peacekeeping efforts. One such opportunity is in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We welcome the recommendation of the Joint Southern African Development Community-East African Community Summit, endorsed by the African Union Peace and Security Council, for MONUSCO to support securitization efforts and ceasefire monitoring in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. With its vast experience and neutrality, the United Nations is well placed to contribute meaningfully to peace and stability in that region. Thirdly, emerging risks, such as land mines and improvised explosive devices, must be tackled through specialized training and integrated mitigation strategies. The mobility of peacekeepers is key. They must be equipped with enhanced transportation, including helicopters and all-terrain vehicles, to operate effectively and safely. Fourthly, peacekeepers must be trained in the complexities of ceasefire agreements, including an understanding of local political, cultural and social dynamics, thereby enabling them to recognize and respond appropriately. Finally, accountability for attacks on peacekeepers must be non-negotiable. Since the start of this year alone, three peacekeepers have been killed in MONUSCO, four in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, two in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and one in UNIFIL. Sixty peacekeepers with the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei were kidnapped by the Rapid Support Forces. That is unacceptable. Those responsible must be held accountable. Peacekeepers embody the collective will of the international community. Attacks against them are attacks against all of us. In situations in which United Nations missions are monitoring ceasefires, particular responsibility is placed on all parties, including host countries, to strictly observe the terms of the ceasefire. Also imperative is their full cooperation with the United Nations missions, including access, freedom of movement and facilitation of missions’ operations. Sharing of timely and credible information and prompt reporting of ceasefire violations is also critical to missions’ ability to monitor and support the ceasefires more effectively. That should also enable meticulous and regular reporting to the Council from all relevant field missions — six at the moment — that are entrusted with ceasefire monitoring. Furthermore, as others have noted, the Security Council has the responsibility to ensure that the environment provided by the cessation of hostilities and compliance Pakistan remains deeply engaged in discussions on the future of United Nations peacekeeping. Next week we will host a Peacekeeping Ministerial preparatory meeting, in partnership with the Republic of Korea, in Islamabad. We are also proud to join hands with Denmark and the Republic of Korea, in a trio to keep this vital agenda front and centre during our current tenure on the Council. Let me conclude by once again saluting all the brave men and women who serve under the United Nations flag in some of the most difficult and dangerous parts of the world.

I thank you, Mr. President, and commend France for organizing this important and timely meeting on peacekeeping operations. Let me also express my sincere gratitude to Under-Secretary-General Lacroix for his comprehensive briefing. I also extend my thanks to Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz, Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), and Lieutenant General Gomes, Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for their invaluable insights. I take this opportunity to honour the sacrifices of United Nations peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty and to recognize their legacy in the lives they touched and the peace they sought to build around the world. We gather today at a critical juncture in the evolution of peacekeeping operations where six of our 11 ongoing peace operations carry ceasefire mandates. Their experiences demonstrate that successful monitoring requires adaptability, innovation, regional cooperation and unwavering political will. The landscape of conflict monitoring has transformed dramatically, driven by technological advancement and emerging challenges that demand innovative solutions. Technology’s role in ceasefire monitoring has become increasingly vital. The implementation of remote infrastructure monitoring systems and Internet of Things technology has demonstrated how we can enhance our operational capabilities while reducing risks to personnel. In both Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the deployment of uncrewed aerial vehicles has revolutionized our ability to maintain situational awareness, particularly where traditional monitoring methods prove insufficient. However, technology alone cannot be our solution. Our experience, particularly through UNIFIL’s operations, under resolution 1701 (2006), demonstrates that successful ceasefire monitoring requires unrestricted freedom of movement and a delicate balance between technological solutions and community trust. The most critical capabilities we must implement include advanced surveillance systems, secure communication networks and sophisticated data analytics capabilities. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we have witnessed the importance of coordinated regional efforts. The initiatives between the Southern African Development Community and the East African Community, aligned with the African Union’s Silencing the Guns by 2030 campaign, exemplify how regional partnerships can strengthen ceasefire monitoring. We must ensure that our peacekeepers are equipped to counter both traditional and emerging threats, including disinformation campaigns that can undermine peace Throughout this evolution, we must remain steadfast in upholding the core principles of peacekeeping: impartiality in our actions, neutrality in our engagement with all parties and the fundamental requirement of consent from warring parties. Those principles are not constraints, but enablers that strengthen our effectiveness and legitimacy. Legitimacy comes from transparency and inclusion. We propose a framework where host States actively participate in determining technological deployments, local authorities receive proper training and joint verification mechanisms include all parties. That approach has proven particularly effective in our ongoing missions. Strengthening partnerships is crucial to the future of ceasefire monitoring. The Organization’s Partnership for Technology in Peacekeeping initiative shows us the way forward. We emphasize strong collaboration with regional organizations, technology providers, academic institutions and civil society organizations. As we prepare for the Berlin Ministerial meetings, we must focus on strengthening these crucial missions through enhanced capabilities and deeper regional partnerships. In conclusion, I reiterate that our goal extends beyond monitoring ceasefires — we aim to create conditions for lasting peace. That requires both technological innovation and unwavering commitment to peacekeeping principles. Through collective action, strategic innovation and steadfast dedication, we can ensure that United Nations peacekeeping continues to serve as a beacon of hope for communities living under the shadow of conflict.

I thank Under-Secretary-General Lacroix and the Force Commanders of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for their very helpful briefings. Let me, on behalf of the United Kingdom, pay tribute to the commitment and sacrifices made by United Nations peacekeepers around the world. The United Kingdom remains a steadfast supporter of United Nations peacekeeping and of the unique contribution it makes to international peace and security. Implementing and monitoring ceasefires has been a key function of United Nations peacekeeping from its very beginning and United Nations peacekeeping operations continue to effectively support ceasefire agreements around the world. The United Nations will not always be the right body for this, but in many cases it is, with a unique status and legitimacy for monitoring ceasefires effectively. That has historically been an important part of United Nations mandates across the world, for example, in Cyprus or the Golan Heights. We must consider each mandate on a case-by-case basis. Today we would like to address the situations in Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular, given the nature of today’s briefings. In Lebanon, the United Kingdom welcomed the United States announcement of talks to resolve key issues between Lebanon and Israel. That is a big step forward. We urge all parties to use the talks as a pathway towards securing lasting peace and security for the citizens of Israel and Lebanon, rather than returning to conflict. UNIFIL is playing a key role in de-escalating tension and monitoring the cessation of hostilities across the Blue Line. The United Kingdom welcomes UNIFIL’s role in supporting the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to southern Lebanon, consistent with the November ceasefire agreement and with resolution 1701 (2006). We welcome UNIFIL’s adaptation plan and urge UNIFIL to be ambitious in implementing it. Let me conclude with two more general comments. First, the safety and security of peacekeepers are essential to the successful monitoring of any ceasefire agreement. The United Kingdom strongly condemns all attacks on United Nations peacekeepers, whom must never be targeted. Secondly, enhanced technology, such as early-warning systems and improved surveillance, can help mitigate threats, including those arising from misinformation and disinformation, while allowing peacekeepers to carry out their mandates safely. Technology must be harnessed to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of ceasefire monitoring capabilities. As we look ahead to the Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin next month and to building on the Pact for the Future (General Assembly resolution 79/1), the United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to strengthening peacekeeping operations so that they remain capable of addressing the challenges that they face in a changing world.

Let me also thank Under-Secretary General Lacroix, Lieutenant General Lázaro Sáenz and Lieutenant General Gomes for their presentations today. Owing to their impartiality, their military capabilities and their role in advancing political solutions, United Nations peacekeeping missions are well positioned to contribute to the success of ceasefires by enhancing efforts to create space for dialogue, foster trust between political actors and, more important, spare civilians from further violence. Fundamentally, ceasefires must be respected by the conflicting parties, including proxies and aligned forces, and reinforced by political processes in order for United Nations peacekeeping missions to be successful and for countries to achieve lasting peace. We reject attacks on the credibility of United Nations peacekeeping missions, such as those we have seen in recent months against the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) by Rwandan officials and troops. Such attacks undermine trust in the findings of ceasefire observation missions and cast doubt on their impartiality. The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of many of today’s missions allow for improved detection of ceasefire violations. Advancements in artificial intelligence may serve as a tool that assists missions to predict and pre-empt violations. To take full advantage of those capabilities, host countries and conflicting parties must facilitate full freedom of movement for peacekeeping missions, including for unmanned aerial vehicles and personnel. Furthermore, while reporting by United Nations peacekeeping missions to the Council equips Member States with much-needed insight into ceasefire violations, reporting must be timelier and prescriptive so that swift accountability is possible. As we have seen in both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon, United Nations peacekeeping missions can serve as force multipliers for regional initiatives that are charged with monitoring ceasefires, including through the In Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) hosts the enhanced pentalateral mechanism, chaired by the United States with French participation, which is charged with monitoring all elements of the cessation of hostilities arrangement between Israel and Lebanon. Since it took effect on 27 November 2024, the level of violence has dramatically decreased and the mechanism has facilitated, with support from UNIFIL, the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces to approximately 100 positions south of the Litani River, as compared to an estimated 10 positions at the beginning of the cessation of hostilities. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we once again call for an immediate ceasefire and a halt to the advances made by the Mouvement du 23 Mars and Rwanda in North Kivu and South Kivu. We support a role for MONUSCO in overseeing such a ceasefire, in close partnership with regional initiatives, as appropriate. The challenges that we currently face in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon underscore the necessity for United Nations peacekeeping to be more efficient, adaptable and focused on long-term political solutions with a view to achieving lasting peace and security.

I commend the French presidency for convening this timely and important meeting focused on the military component and ceasefire monitoring by United Nations peacekeeping missions. I also thank Under- Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix and the Force Commanders of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) for their tireless work and dedication. Since the establishment of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in 1948, ceasefire monitoring has remained a core component of United Nations peacekeeping, from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and Africa. As the nature of conflicts evolves and new technologies emerge, traditional ceasefire monitoring must adapt accordingly. In that regard, I would like to make the following points. First, by effectively harnessing technology, we can significantly enhance monitoring capabilities and the safety of peacekeepers. The use of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI), satellite imagery and acoustic sensors increases situational awareness and facilitates rapid data-driven responses to potential violations. UAVs, for instance, provide real-time aerial surveillance in inaccessible and high-risk areas, thereby mitigating threats to peacekeepers’ safety, while AI supports the swift analysis of complex data sets. The Republic of Korea has actively contributed to the digital transformation of peacekeeping, including the deployment of the Unite Aware system in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, which integrates real-time data for decision-making and operational coordination. In addition, Korea initiated a smart camp project in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, improving base management at the local level. We acknowledge that deploying advanced technologies requires host country consent. While some Governments remain cautious, closer coordination with host States and an emphasis on the mutual benefits of those innovations can help foster understanding and garner support. Secondly, building long-term trust among United Nations peacekeeping missions and host countries and populations is essential for the effective implementation of ceasefire mandates. While most United Nations peacekeeping missions are unable to enforce ceasefire compliance, they are mandated to observe and report ceasefire At the same time, peacekeeping missions must engage with local communities to maintain the host country’s consent. Trust-building measures on the ground, such as UNIFIL’s joint patrols with the Lebanese Armed Forces and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force’s community outreach in the area of separation, have been instrumental. Likewise, Korean peacekeepers in UNIFIL and UNMISS are engaged in outreach initiatives with the local community, ranging from medical assistance to agricultural support. In addition, combating misinformation and disinformation is increasingly vital to maintaining public trust, as witnessed in the case of MONUSCO. Thirdly, partnerships with Member States and regional organizations are essential for the implementation of the ceasefire monitoring mandate and the related training and capacity-building of United Nations peacekeepers. MONUSCO’s experience, including providing technical advice and information-sharing with Southern African Development Community forces through the Joint Operations Centre, illustrates the importance of collaboration and complementarity with regional organizations. Such cooperation has proven to be beneficial in enhancing the operational capabilities of both MONUSCO and the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Korea has provided specialized training, including on countering improvised explosive devices, for troop-contributing countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), through the Korea-ASEAN-United Nations Triangular Partnership Programme. We also convened a meeting in August 2024 as Chair of the Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations to explore partnerships with regional organizations, particularly in the context of mission transitions in Africa. We remain committed to advancing such discussions through the Working Group. Korea will co-host the third preparatory meeting for the Peacekeeping Ministerial with Pakistan next week in Islamabad, focusing on the role of technology and partnerships in the future of peace operations. We look forward to continuing our dialogue at the meeting, building on today’s valuable discussions.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of France. I thank the Under-Secretary-General, Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Lieutenant General Ulisses de Mesquita Gomes and Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz for their very detailed and useful briefings. People judge the United Nations first and foremost on its ability to preserve peace. The increase in the number of conflicts and the growing difficulties in restoring peace remind us of the demanding nature and urgency of that mission. The Security Council, Secretariat, regional organizations and troop-contributing countries, to which we express our recognition and active support, must work together on that mission. The Council met two weeks ago for an open debate on peacekeeping organized by the Danish presidency (see S/PV.9884). The debate illustrated the need to adapt peacekeeping operations to contemporary challenges. I would therefore like to emphasize three points. First, peacekeeping operations must fulfil their mandate by adapting to constraints on the ground and to changing political realities. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) are two telling examples in that regard. Both missions are facing serious crises and finding ways to continue Secondly, peacekeeping operations have a proven track record of supporting ceasefires. Ceasefires have been observed for more than 75 years, and it is a task still a relevant task — more than half of the operations in progress fulfil that role. The Council must not hesitate to use a ceasefire when a given situation lends itself to it, anywhere in the world, because it has the know-how and the legitimacy to do so. Once mandated, operations must be given the necessary leeway for Force Commanders to be able make the adjustments they deem necessary in line with changes in the local situation. UNIFIL is therefore working to strengthen its posture, presence and profile in the context of the November 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement. Continuing, accelerating and amplifying that work is essential. Let us support those efforts, in which France is playing its part, to encourage the positive momentum set in motion since the agreement, with a view to fully implementing resolution 1701 (2006). As recalled in resolution 2773 (2025), the matter of MONUSCO’s role in supervising and implementing a ceasefire will arise if the parties reach an agreement, in the context of ongoing regional and international efforts. Lieutenant General Gomes’ briefing confirmed that his force has all the necessary capabilities to adapt quickly in that regard, according to needs. However  — and this is my third point  — missions must have the modern capabilities necessary to implement their mandates. To effectively monitor compliance with a ceasefire, deployed forces must have at their disposal high-performance tools, using new technologies for information retrieval and the acquisition of high- definition images, but also night vision capabilities, such as the latest generation of drones and fixed cameras. That is far from being a secondary issue — it is very important, because a force without resources is a diminished force. That means that sufficient financial resources must be allocated to them, and adequate training programmes must be put in place. In addition, peacekeepers must be allowed to use those critical new capabilities, which is not always the case. Cooperation among host States, operations and the Council must be deepened in order to overcome reluctance, remove existing obstacles and work closely to serve common political objectives. Next month’s Berlin Ministerial Conference, with its preparatory process in Islamabad, will allow us to address those issues, which are crucial to the future of peacekeeping. In conclusion, on behalf of France, I would like to pay tribute to the remarkable work of the peacekeepers deployed within UNIFIL, MONUSCO and all peacekeeping operations mandated by the Council and to those who have fallen in the line of duty or been seriously injured while serving the United Nations and to recall the pressing need to respect the Blue Helmets and all humanitarian personnel. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. It therefore remains for me to thank the Under-Secretary-General and the Force Commanders for their explanations and to assure them of our support for the missions for which they are responsible.