UN Security Council unanimously adopts resolution on the safety and security of peacekeepers
The UN Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted Resolution 2518, a first of its kind, vowing to take all-dimensional measures to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers.
“This is the first resolution on the safety and security of peacekeepers and is well-received by the broad membership as a timely fit for the current peacekeeping situation in line with the expectations of the international community,” Xinhua news agency quoted a statement.
Key Highlights
- The resolution was sponsored by China and co-sponsored by 43 countries, including Italy, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, South Africa, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Vietnam, according to the statement.
- It covers areas such as training, health, technology, partnerships, including strengthening training system, improving health security and relief capabilities, requiring peacekeeping missions to strengthen communication with host countries and build mutual trust, improving the level of technology application, strengthening coordination mechanism arrangements, and supporting the African Union and other regional organizations’ capacity-building through partnerships.
- For 72 years, UN peacekeeping operations have played a significant role in the political settlement of hot-spot issues as an effective means of maintaining international peace and security, according to the statement.
- There are currently more than 95,000 peacekeepers on active duty in 13 mission areas.
- The challenges faced by these operations were on the rise, with traditional and non-traditional security factors posing serious threats to the security of peacekeepers.
- This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the UN and a crucial year for the implementation of the “Action for Peace” initiative.
About UN Peacekeeping Forces
Peacekeeping by the United Nations is a role held by the Department of Peace Operations as “a unique and dynamic instrument developed by the organization as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace”. It is distinguished from peacebuilding, peacemaking and peace enforcement although the United Nations does acknowledge that all activities are “mutually reinforcing” and that overlap between them is frequent in practice.
Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. Accordingly, UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.
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