2. In 2000, the UN started a major exercise to analyze its peacekeeping experience, and
introduce a series of reforms to strengthen its capacity to manage and sustain field
operations.
This was brought about by the surge in demand for UN peacekeepers, with the ‘blue
helmets’ being increasingly asked to deploy to remote and often volatile environments.
Peacekeeping also faced a varied set of challenges which included:
Ø deploying its largest, most expensive and increasingly complex operations;
Ø designing and executing transition strategies for operations where stability has been
achieved;
Ø equipping communities as far as possible with capacity to ensure long-term peace
and stability.
3. The concept of Peacekeeping is not explicitly mentioned in the UN charter.
It has evolved overtime to meet the original changing role in the
maintainance of international peace and security.
The security Council establishes peacekeeping operations and monitors the
performance of their mandates.
The GA considers the financial aspects of peacekeeping and monitors the
budgets of the mission.
The peacekeeping Commision is an intergovernmental advisory body that
supports peace efforts in countries from conflict, and is a key addition to
the capacity of the International community in the broad peace agenda. The
peacebuilding commission plays an important role in
** bringing together all of the relevant actors, including donors, the
international financial institutions, national governments
** marshalling resources
** advising on and proposing integrated strategies for post conflict
peacebuilding and recovery and where appropriate, highlighting any gaps
that threaten to undermine peace.
WORK DONE BY UN PEACEKEEPING REFORMS
4. High-level Independent Panel on UN Peace Operations
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon established a High-level
Independent Panel on UN Peace Operations on 31 October 2014.
The High Level Panel will make a comprehensive assessment of
the state of UN peace operations today, and the emerging needs
of the future. Announcing the decision, the Secretary-General
said that “the world is changing and UN peace operations must
change with it if they are to remain an indispensable and
effective tool in promoting international peace and security.”
The Panel will consider a broad range of issues facing peace operations,
including the changing nature of conflict, evolving mandates, good offices and
peacebuilding challenges, managerial and administrative arrangements,
planning, partnerships, human rights and protection of civilians. The review
will encompass both UN peacekeeping operations as well as special political
missions (SPMs), which are referred to collectively as “UN peace operations.
With the 15-year anniversary of the Brahimi report approaching, the Secretary-
General felt that it was necessary to again take stock of evolving expectations of
UN peacekeeping and how the Organization can work toward a shared view of
the way forward.
5.
6. Over the past six decades, United Nations peacekeeping has evolved into a complex, global
undertaking. During this time, the conduct of United Nations peacekeeping operations has been
guided by a largely unwritten body of principles and informed by the experiences of the many
thousands of men and women who have served in the more than 60 operations launched since
1948. This document captures these experiences for the benefft and guidance of planners and
practitioners of United Nations peacekeeping operations.The Charter of the United Nations was
signed, in San Francisco, on 26 June 1945 and is the foundation docu- ment for all the United
Nations work. The United Nations was established to “save succeeding generations from the
scourge of war” and one of its main purposes is to maintain international peace and security.
Peacekeeping, although not explicitly provided for in the Charter, has evolved into one of the
main tools used by the United Nations to achieve this purpose.
PEACEKEEPING
7.
8. General Assembly resolution 1000 (ES-1)
of 5 November 1956 authorizing the
establishment of the First United Nations
Emergency Force (UNEF I) was adopted
under procedure established by the
“Uniting for Peace” resolution.
2 It is widely recognized that the
international community’s objectives in
countries emerging from conffict will be
better served if women and girls are
protected and if arrangements are put in
place to allow for the full participation of
women in the peace process. Security
Council resolution 1325
(2000) on women, peace and security
therefore calls on all United Nations
peacekeeping operation
END NOTES Although the United Nations Charter gives
primary responsibility to the Security Council for
the maintenance of international peace and
security, General Assembly resolution 377 (V) of 3
November 1950, also known as the “Uniting for
Peace” resolution, states that:
“. . . if the Security Council, because of lack of
unanimity of the permanent members, fails to
exercise its pri- mary responsibility for the
maintenance of international peace and security in
any case where there appears to be a threat to the
peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression,
the General Assembly shall consider the matter
immediately with a view to making appropriate
recommendations to Members for collective
measures, includ- ing in the case of a breach of the
peace or act of aggression, the use of armed force
when necessary, to maintain or restore
