SPEAKING at the UN Peacekeeping Preparatory Meeting in Islamabad, Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir urged the United Nations to enable peacekeeping missions to be more effective in addressing the complex threats while assuring safety and security of peacekeepers. Unquestionably, the UN peacekeepers have over the years played a pivotal role in saving and changing lives in the world’s most fragile political and security situations. These brave men and women often operate in extremely challenging and dangerous environment, risking their lives to ensure that innocent civilians can live without fear.
Hence, General Munir’s message serves as a global call to action, reminding the international community of the collective responsibility to support and protect those brave individuals who put their lives on the line to maintain peace and stability. It also emphasizes the need for continuous innovation and adaptation within UN peacekeeping to address evolving threats effectively. Enhancing the effectiveness of UN peacekeeping missions is a crucial goal. To achieve this, several strategies can be employed. First, peacekeepers should receive rigorous pre-deployment training tailored to the specific challenges of their mission, including cultural sensitivity and conflict resolution skills. Second, robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms among mission stakeholders and local communities can provide crucial situational awareness. Third, well-defined mandates, achievable objectives and realistic timelines should be established to prevent mission creep and frustration among peacekeepers. Fourth, the provision of modern equipment, including advanced communication and protective gear, is essential. Additionally, closer coordination with host governments and international partners, coupled with regular risk assessments and adaptive strategies, can further enhance mission effectiveness while prioritizing the safety and security of peacekeepers. Given its extensive involvement in peacekeeping endeavours, Pakistan stands at the forefront of nations working to alleviate conflicts and protect vulnerable populations. Consequently, Pakistan has a profound interest in ensuring that peacekeeping missions operate efficiently, effectively addressing complex threats, and delivering on their mandate. As a major stakeholder, Pakistan’s advocacy for improved mission outcomes aligns with its mission to promote international stability and contribute to the collective efforts aimed at achieving lasting peace in conflict-ridden regions. We expect that the relentless efforts put forth by Pakistan and like-minded nations for effective peacekeeping missions and their safety and security are poised to catalyze comprehensive reforms within the UN peacekeeping framework.
