Iftikhar Ali
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 11 (APP): Pakistan has called for addressing UN peacekeeping’s financial crunch, saying this world body’s flagship activity defines its credibility in maintaining international peace and security.
“UN peacekeeping, today, stands at a critical crossroads,” Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent member of Pakistan to the UN, told the General Assembly’s Fourth Committee, which deal with special political and decolonization issues.
“The very tool that has defined the United Nations’ credibility in maintaining international peace and security faces unprecedented political, financial, and operational challenges,” he said, as the committee reviewed the peacekeeping operations around the world .
“The ongoing liquidity crisis is the most immediate and serious symptom of a deeper problem – a waning political commitment by some key member states to this indispensable instrument of peace.” the Pakistan envoy said.
“If not addressed urgently, it risks eroding confidence in the most visible symbol of multilateralism,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad warned.
There are 11 active UN peacekeeping operations in the listed regions, and they involve around 60,000 troops from over 120 countries, including Pakistan. These operations aim to help countries transition from conflict to peace by providing security, supporting political processes, and assisting in rebuilding institutions.
Pakistan is host to one of the oldest peacekeeping missions – the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), deployed in Jammu and Kashmir, and is among the longest-serving and largest troop contributors to UN peacekeeping.
For over seven decades, Pakistani Blue Helmets have served with professionalism, courage, and distinction in 48 missions across four continents. More than 250,000 Pakistani peacekeepers have served under the UN flag, and 182 of our bravest have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of international peace and security.
Despite the challenges, the Pakistani envoy said UN peacekeeping remains one of the most effective, legitimate, and cost-efficient tools available to the international community, highlighting that independent studies confirm that it is is far less costly, and far more legitimate, than unilateral interventions, as with a total annual budget of about $5.5 billion, it accounts for less than 0.3 percent of global military expenditure.
“It (UN peacekeeping) continues to save lives, monitor ceasefires, protect civilians, and stabilize fragile regions,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, emphasizing that the conflict-ridden world needs stronger peace operations – not weaker ones.
Pakistan, he said, supports reforms and improving efficiencies in the peacekeeping.
In this regard, the Pakistani envoy proposed:
— Peacekeeping must be guided by political objectives and end goals, with realistic, achievable mandates, tailored to ground realities– not the political preferences of individual Security Council members;
— Troop- and police-contributing countries – who bear the greatest risks in the field – must be fully involved in all stages of mandate formulation, review, and transition;
— The safety and security of peacekeepers must remain a top priority, and attacks on peacekeepers must be addressed with urgency;
— Explore modalities for partnership with regional/ sub-regional organizations, including the OIC, ASEAN, to strengthen regional security mechanisms;
— Harness early-warning systems and remote sensing to digital logistics and telemedicine to improve operational efficiency and reduce risks; and,
— Any innovation must not come at the expense of UN peacekeeping which must remain anchored in Security Council authorization and member state oversight.
“Peacekeeping is not a panacea, but neither is it expendable,” Ambassador Asim Ahmad said, adding, “It remains the most visible embodiment of multilateralism in action and a symbol of collective resolve to confront conflicts through international cooperation.”