Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday said ensuring a safe and secure environment for United Nations peacekeepers who tirelessly maintain peace around the globe should be the foremost priority.
Addressing the 2023 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Preparatory Meeting on“Safety and Security of Peacekeepers” here, the foreign minister said Pakistan’s participation in UN peacekeeping, spanning over six decades, was a tangible manifestation of its contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, in line with the UN Charter.
He said legal frameworks and adequate accountability mechanisms were paramount for peacekeeper safety. “We must stand firm in holding accountable the perpetrators – individuals and groups that harm or threaten UN peacekeepers.” “Medical care for peacekeepers is also essential, he said adding “our peacekeepers deserve the best care including mental health support. Standardized training, first aid provisions, and enhanced medical facilities are crucial for that”.
The FM maintained that addressing challenges, including language barriers and administrative obstacles, should also be one of our top priorities. He said the spectre of threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices to peacekeepers’ security needs a commensurate response. “We must intensify pre-deployment training; equip our peacekeepers with cutting-edge technology; and augment their capabilities for countering the IED threat.”
The minister highlighted that leveraging technology was vital to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers. “The Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping underscores the need to enhance situational awareness, counter disinformation, and optimise the use of technology.
