Statement by Ambassador Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations in the Fourth Committee on the Comprehensive Review of the Whole Question of Peacekeeping Operations in all their Aspects
(31 October 2018)
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation aligns itself with the statement delivered by Morocco on behalf of the NAM.
Blue Helmets have earned respect the world over, for their impartiality and dedication to protect the most vulnerable in conflict zones, and by working for peace in the most protracted of conflicts.
But this comes at a cost. Only last weekend we lost two peacekeepers in Mali, something that all Troop Contributing Countries can sadly relate to.
Pakistan itself has lost 156 of its bravest while serving international peace and security. This is a reminder that while many give some to peace, some give all.
As one of the largest and most consistent TCCs for close to six decades, Pakistan has contributed over 200,000 troops to UN peacekeeping, who have served in 46 Missions with honour, professionalism and distinction.
In addition, we co-host one of the UN’s earliest missions – the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan. UNMOGIP continues to monitor the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, and we greatly value its vital role in maintaining peace and security in our region.
Mr. Chairman,
Peacekeeping performance and accountability received particular attention this year in the C-34, and by Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ special initiative of Action for Peacekeeping (A4P).
The Security Council also adopted Resolution 2436 last month, that inter alia calls for a data based approach for performance assessment and stronger accountability for peacekeeping Missions.
We support reliance on the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System for all deployments, without exception. We welcome the whole of Mission approach that these documents build on, and appreciate the inclusive and consultative approach by which they were negotiated.
While we work collectively to strengthen peacekeeping, what runs contrary to these efforts is the ongoing intense focus on arbitrary reduction in budgets and financing for peacekeeping.
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to make six specific points on how we see the future of peacekeeping:
- One, Peacekeeping has been and continues to be the United Nation’s most successful enterprise. Peacekeeping Missions need to be nimble and responsive. This requires clearly prioritized and sequenced mandates and well-equipped human and material resources. For this, effective triangular cooperation, with early inclusion of TCCs in discussions on formation and changes in mandates is critical.
- Two, for any meaningful assessment of performance, a level playing field is a prerequisite. Otherwise, we run the risk of punishing those who value the cause and operate without conditionalities commonly known as national caveats.
- Three, the primacy of politics in establishing and sustaining peace remains vital. This has been established by all recent reviews. Peace cannot be established by peacekeepers alone. Peacekeeping needs to be strengthened by supporting political solutions and mediation processes. Similarly, there can be no lasting peace without addressing the root causes of conflict.
- Four, arbitrary cuts in peacekeeping funding risks diminishing the effectiveness of missions and can jeapordise the safety and security of peacekeepers. Our focus should be on enhancing capabilities, not across the board cuts in the peacekeeping budget. Even if the discussion is reduced to purely financial considerations, we should not lose sight of the fact that peace costs less than war. The exponential gap between what the world spends on war compared to what it invests on peacekeeping, peacebuilding and sustaining peace, serves as a stark reminder of our misplaced priorities.
- Five, Protection of Civilians mandates do not absolve host states of their primary responsibility of protecting civilians. All efforts must be made to make national governments fully acknowledge and live up to their responsibility and ensure that the line between peacekeeping and peace enforcement is not blurred.
- Last but not least, we support the Secretary General in his campaign to eliminate the scourge of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse from the UN System, including from peacekeeping missions. Pakistan has a zero-tolerance policy towards SEA. Pakistan was among the first batch of TCCs to sign the Secretary General’s Compact for the Elimination of SEA. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has also joined other world leaders on the Circle of Leadership on SEA.
Mr. Chairman,
Peacekeeping is a collective effort and we are fully invested in its success. Blue Helmets are a source of pride for the UN, and indeed for all of us as TCCs. Those caught up in conflict zones see them as a lifeline and a source of hope for a secure and brighter future.
Together we should ensure that their work and successes are appreciated and their hands are strengthened.
I thank you.