75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
UN Security Council meeting on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations
Statement by PR Sven Jürgenson
September 8, New York
The aim of every UN peacekeeping mission is to end. To make itself redundant. But as past experience has shown, peace requires a multidimensional approach, which has been adopted now by several UN peacekeeping missions. How these different dimensions enable peace, however, is different and as such require particular attention as to when and whether to end or transition them. This makes proper transitions into multi-year processes that require sustained political, security, and programmatic engagements, bringing together the entire UN system in a different kind of configuration and UN support for the host country.
Transition planning has to take into account broad challenges, including risks to stability, governance, and the rule of law, as well as the political, humanitarian, and human rights context. Here, wide coordination with different stakeholders is crucial, including women, youth and those who protect and promote human rights, in order to ensure a successful pivot to post-conflict peacebuilding.
Integrated mission transitions require the transfer of a multitude tasks to a variety of actors, including international partners, host governments and civil society organisations, while at the same time mantaining continuity. In the past, drawdowns have at times occurred amid incomplete political settlements, persistent threats to civilians, and significant social and economic disparities. Therefore, greater attention to transition should be considered and there should be periodical reporting on the status of ongoing transitions. Past experience has also demonstrated how changes in the mission footprint benefit from being accompanied by adequate attention to corresponding environmental and ecological impacts. Care must be taken to ensure that environment and climate related security implications are considered in transition assessments.
The protection of civilians and promotion of human rights are central to the United Nation’s political strategy and dialogue with host-state authorities and remain just as relevant as the UN’s strategic goal shifts toward peacebuilding, with host-state authorities carrying a greater responsibility.
Finally, the overarching requirement in all transitions is the importance of national ownership, whether by host country, local community or civil society partners. As United Nations missions change their posture, the result should not lead to a reduction in the safety of people and the stability of peace, but to greater local empowerment and resilience.
Thank you.