Security Council meeting 6153-Resu.1

The President

I wish to remind all speakers, as I indicated at the morning session, to limit, if possible, their statements to no more than five minutes in order to enable the Council to carry out its work expeditiously. Delegations with lengthy statements are kindly requested to circulate the texts in writing and to deliver a condensed version when speaking in the Chamber.

Before I start giving the floor, I would like to welcome our new Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support, Mr. Anthony Banbury. He has joined us in the Secretariat and today in the Security Council. I welcome him and wish him continued success.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

Ms. Dunlop (Brazil)

I wish to thank you, Mr. President, for the invitation to participate in this debate, which is very timely. I also thank Under-Secretaries-General Mr. Alain Le Roy and Ms. Susana Malcorra for their informative briefings.

The considerable increase in the number of deployed peacekeepers and the greater complexity of missions show that Governments and peoples worldwide trust United Nations peacekeeping operations. Such constancy is a major political asset. It reflects the observance of the principles of impartiality, the consent of the parties and the use of force in self-defence or in the implementation of a mandate.

However, those same features of today's operations -- larger contingents and greater complexity -- pose several challenges to the Organization and its Member States. Chief among them is the need for the Security Council to provide sustained political attention and guidance, not only to missions with acute responsibilities and needs but also to the peace processes that they are requested to support. As we all know, peacekeeping is no substitute for the political processes by which parties to disputes must resolve their differences, nor can or should the international community lead national reconstruction or development efforts. But support for and attention to such efforts are crucial, not only for the countries themselves but also for the long-term sustainability of United Nations missions.

The above is also relevant to dealing with another significant challenge, namely the scarcity of troop-contributing countries. There is a real need to identify new contributors, to encourage former contributors to resume contributions and to persuade present ones to increase their contributions.

Brazil has heeded the call. Since 2004, it has multiplied its contribution tenfold, compared to a fourfold increase in the overall number of United Nations peacekeeping troops. It is worth noting that more than 80 per cent of the troops in United Nations missions today come from developing countries. It is crucial that the general membership participate in the collective response to meet the increased demand for United Nations peacekeeping.

Although it is important to recognize those challenges, it is equally necessary to refrain from generating the sense of an impending crisis in peacekeeping or from raising doubts about the ability of the Organization to face such challenges. Rather, we should strive to reform what must be reformed in a systematic, inclusive and transparent manner, without dispersing efforts in too many initiatives, however well intended.

We should also focus on the full implementation of decisions that have already been taken. In particular, it does not seem appropriate to speak of a financial crisis in peacekeeping. It is true that the budget has increased considerably and that that is certainly a burden on all Member States. However, higher financial costs are but the logical consequence of establishing new missions and enlarging existing ones, which, in turn, derives from decisions made in the Council.

In adopting resolutions, members are obviously aware of the financial consequences. They should ensure, in the Fifth Committee, that missions receive the resources needed to implement their mandates. Closing missions that are needed or avoiding establishing missions that the Council considers necessary to maintain or restore international peace and security do not seem to be judicious responses to the financial problem. Rather, host countries and the United Nations must work together to create the conditions that will allow for the timely drawdown and closing of missions. In other words, firm commitment by the host country to overcome the causes of conflict, with the concurrent support of the United Nations, will help to achieve or restore political stability and security sooner rather later.

At the same time, it is important that the Security Council continue to focus on drafting mandates that are consistent with the needs on the ground. In that connection, I would like to make a brief but important conceptual remark. Brazil believes that the expression "financial contributors" should not be used in connection with peacekeeping, as it is contrary to the letter and the spirit of the Charter. All Member States contribute to the budget in accordance with their capacity to pay. On an issue directly linked to international peace and security that is in the interest of the entire membership, no hierarchies should be established or encouraged.

Brazil's experience as a troop-contributing country started in the 1940s. Since then, it has involved almost 30,000 troops. Our most recent contribution, in Haiti, has confirmed our understanding that military and police activities are insufficient to build long-term stability. Sustainable peace requires that a peacekeeping mission also assist in supporting national reconciliation, strengthening national institutions and promoting development. Our experience also indicates that close interaction between the Security Council and TCCs is essential.

Resolution 1353 (2001) established a wide range of mechanisms for consultation with troop-contributing countries. In our current reform efforts, it is preferable to improve those mechanisms rather than to invent new ones. The key for a mutually beneficial relationship between the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop-contributing countries is to give their views extensive consideration. First and foremost, that should translate into making better use of the discussions held in meetings prior to the renewal of mandates. It behoves the Council to show the political will to mainstream suggestions and perspectives derived from the valuable experience of TCCs. That is crucial to ensure a convergence between the Council and the countries with responsibilities on the ground. It is also relevant to increase ownership of peacekeeping on the part of States ready to provide troops, thereby encouraging them to provide the resources needed to respond to increased demand. In other words, participation and inclusiveness will also help the Organization to face the challenges that I have mentioned.

Another important step is to engage troop-contributing countries in a consistent and sustained manner, and not in a sporadic fashion, as has been the case in the past. That is particularly true with regard to reform initiatives. Attentive consideration to the recommendations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations is also needed.

Brazil stands ready to continue to contribute to peacekeeping, not only in the field and at Headquarters but also through participation in the debate on the necessary measures for its improvement. Such an endeavour is crucial to the future of the Organization.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of Jordan.

Mr. Shawabkah (Jordan)

At the outset, allow me to express our gratitude and appreciation to you, Mr. President, for your initiative to hold this important meeting, as well as for your wise and able guidance of the deliberations of the Security Council. I would also like to thank your predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation. My delegation would also like to thank Mr. Alain Le Roy, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, and Ms. Susana Malcorra, Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, for their comprehensive briefings and consultations with various States to inform them of the latest developments pertaining to the preparation of the New Horizon document.

Jordan associates itself with the statement to be delivered by the representative of the brotherly delegation of Morocco on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

The year 2009 marks two decades of Jordan's participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, which began as a result of a royal decree. Our participation, which continues to this day, has made Jordan one of the top troop and police contributors. The current scope of Jordan's partnership in peacekeeping operations is a reflection of our declared principled position with regard to the Organization and its noble objectives in the maintenance of international peace and security.

There has been a radical transformation in the international security environment in the course of the past two decades. That has resulted in significant developments with regard to the nature of peacekeeping operations, mission concepts and planning and the mechanisms for mission management and implementation. By necessity, those major transformations require new ways for the international community to respond effectively. Although recent responses and initiatives in the area of peacekeeping, whether within or outside the Security Council, have been steps in the right direction, their success in achieving the desired objectives continues to depend primarily upon partnerships among the various parties involved, in particular the Security Council, troop-contributing countries, donor States and the Secretariat.

Today we have a new opportunity to promote the relationship between the Council and troop-contributing countries. Members of the Council have contributed to developing that relationship by calling for this meeting. That opportunity, which is long overdue, provides a chance for the Council to expand and deepen that relationship by involving troop-contributing countries in upcoming initiatives and by inviting them to participate in the meetings and consultations to address peacekeeping concerns.

In that regard, it may be worthwhile to make use of Japan's recent experience. Thankfully, that delegation has helped to enhance interaction between the Security Council and troop-contributing countries by holding joint meetings in the context of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and by following up on the results of those meetings and informing States about them. That has had a positive impact on relations between troop-contributing countries and has prompted them to continue their contacts with the Council.

The success of efforts to develop and support United Nations peacekeeping operations requires fostering confidence among the various regional groups, on the one hand, and between the regional groups and the Security Council, on the other. The multiplication of initiatives may lead to fatigue among States and groups if they are not involved therein and if no real results are achieved. This may lead to separation and hardening of positions due to a weakening of tripartite cooperation and an absence of communication channels between the main parties responsible for peacekeeping operations. The role of regional groups will be pivotal at such a moment, particularly in the light of the momentum of initiatives and the concurrent multiplicity of positions and viewpoints.

All groups can combine all of these positions in one framework that emphasizes collective interests and at the same time ensure respect for the rights of all States. Consequently, it may be appropriate to promote confidence among the various parties by coordinating diverse initiatives in a transparent manner and falling back on the mandates and tasks of all peacekeeping mechanisms. New initiatives must be presented to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the General Assembly committees peacekeeping mandates, while new contacts must be promoted with regional groups.

Jordan's role in enhancing its relationship with the Security Council is not confined to our interest in taking every opportunity to present our viewpoint on matters relating to peacekeeping operations. Our role extends to activities carried out in the framework of the Small Five's call for reform of the modus operandi of the Security Council from various perspectives, most important among which is the relationship between the Council and troop-contributing countries. In this connection, Jordan would like to emphasize the need for the Group to continue to present its recommendations to the Council and the larger membership, which we hope will be seriously discussed.

Jordan would also like to emphasize the significance of practical procedures in enhancing the relationship between the members of the Council and troop-contributing countries. In particular, Jordan stresses the need to foster the relationship between the elements that plan United Nations peacekeeping operations and determine their mandates and administration, on the one hand, and those that implement the mandates, on the other. Troop-contributing countries must participate early and fully in all aspects and stages of United Nations peacekeeping operations so as to contribute their expertise and experience, which can help the Council to adopt appropriate and effective resolutions in due course.

Jordan would also like to stress the need for the effective and full implementation of the provisions of resolution 1353 (2001) and the note by the President of the Council dated 14 January 2002 (S/2002/56) in a manner that will lead to the optimal use of these mechanisms and deepen the relationship with troop-contributing countries. Jordan is of the view that it is necessary to hold consultations with troop-contributing countries at every stage of peacekeeping operations, including at their request and especially before the Council renews the mandate of these operations.

In conclusion, permit me to express, on behalf of the Government and people of Jordan, our gratitude and to pay homage to the peacekeepers who fell as martyrs while discharging their duties. Jordan has lost 22 such heroes in the cause of maintaining international peace and security.

Mrs. El Alaoui (Morocco)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Allow me to begin by thanking you, Mr. President, for arranging this debate on a critical and a flagship activity of the United Nations. I would also like to extend special thanks to Under-Secretaries-General Le Roy and Malcorra for their comprehensive briefings.

The Non-Aligned Movement is best placed to contribute to an objective assessment of the challenges facing the United Nations capacity in peacekeeping, since its members have first-hand experience in the field as troop-contributing countries (TCCs), providing more than 87 per cent of personnel to United Nations peacekeeping operations, and hosting most of the current missions.

The sustained surge of today's peacekeeping has been emphasized within and outside the United Nations. The General Assembly, through its Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, is fulfilling its mandate in addressing all aspects of United Nations peacekeeping, including the effective planning and management of United Nations peacekeeping operations.

After the initial reform process launched by the Brahimi report (S/2000/809), the Special Committee considered and monitored the implementation of the agenda for reform for 2010 and, more recently, the restructuring of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and the creation of the Department of Field Support (DFS).

These reform efforts are recent and Member States have not had sufficient time to assess their impact, much less to rectify any shortcomings that may have resulted from those reforms. In this context, NAM strongly believes that the merit of any new initiative or process, whether Member State- or Secretariat-driven, should be carefully gauged in the context of its relevance to and coherence with the ongoing reforms.

Such coherence, as well as continuity, should be the guidelines of the Secretariat's endeavours. All efforts should ultimately contribute to the common vision of United Nations peacekeeping that continues to save lives and prevents States from relapsing into conflicts.

Following the 26 June briefing to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the heads of both DPKO and DFS addressed the Council today on the New Horizon non-paper as a contribution aimed at restructuring our thinking and approach towards peacekeeping. We would have preferred to receive the Secretariat's entire non-paper prior to this meeting in order to engage in a more meaningful debate. Nevertheless, NAM will provide its views when it deems necessary.

The Non-Aligned Movement wishes to underscore the importance of consistently applying the principles and standards set for the establishment and conduct of United Nations peacekeeping operations and stresses that peacekeeping should observe the purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter and abide by the United Nations peacekeeping operations guiding principles, which are the consent of the parties, the non-use of force except in self-defence, and impartiality. The defence of the mandates should be consistent with United Nations principles.

The Non-Aligned Movement also emphasizes that respect for the principles of the sovereign equality, political independence and territorial integrity of all States and non-intervention in matters that are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State must be upheld.

These guiding principles are the foundation of United Nations peacekeeping as they guarantee its sustainability and its legitimacy as a universal tool for the maintenance of peace and security.

Last January, in the Council, NAM expressed the view that the operational planning process deserves sustained attention and called for rethinking it to ensure coherence in vision, goals and objectives.

The concept paper prepared by the presidency outlines some very useful thoughts on the importance of meaningfully engaging with those countries that provide troops and police. Indeed, TCCs should be involved in the planning process and in all aspects and stages of United Nations peacekeeping operations. Since mandates are ultimately to be implemented in the field by troop-contributing countries, they should be involved as a major partner right from the start -- from the formulation of policy -- through the decision-making process, and on to the deployment phases as well. Troop-contributing countries' first-hand experience, as I outlined previously, would contribute to an objective assessment of where and when to deploy and where to strengthen, where to cut or draw down, having peace and security as the main objective and benchmark. Resolution 1353 (2001) gave us the full spectrum of what should be done in this regard.

In the light of the ongoing debate on how adequately to meet the rising expectations for peacekeeping today, the mechanism of triangular cooperation between TCCs, the Security Council and the Secretariat must be energized in a meaningful manner. TCCs are bearing the burden of implementing mandates crafted and authorized without their involvement in the planning and decision-making processes. Often they are the sole object of criticism when missions face difficulties. Therefore, we should build on the frequency of private meetings with TCCs and briefings by the Secretariat in order to foster a culture of interaction in which Security Council members are fully engaged.

TCC involvement is a key to addressing the current shortcomings and to ensuring the effectiveness of United Nations action. Such involvement, formally operationalized, would assist, inter alia, the Security Council to better define clear and achievable mandates and achieve a greater integration of efforts. In this regard, I would like to thank Japan for all its efforts as the Chair of the Security Council Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.

United Nations peacekeeping operations cannot continue to be supported by only a portion of the United Nations membership. All developed countries must share the burden of peacekeeping and engage their troops in the field under United Nations command and control. To ensure the appropriate level of response in terms of the scope and scale of peacekeeping, the entire membership should deal with the difficulties stemming from deployments in hostile environments and difficult political contexts. Furthermore, much broader sharing and contribution by all Member States would ensure unity of vision to reach our common goal of peace and security.

Prioritization entails a political engagement that is well conceived and supported by all the parties concerned and by the international community. It also requires a comprehensive planning process that ensures mission coherence, clear lines of command and control, integration between mission components, training, deployment, and resources and guidance for DPKO and DFS in the management of the missions. TCCs can provide much-needed expertise for the way forward.

The overextended state of United Nations peacekeeping, along with the increasing demand for renewed or expanded missions, requires a concerted and genuine response from the entire membership. We therefore call on all Member States to continue their support for this important activity, despite the challenges being faced as a result of global economic turmoil. United Nations peacekeeping remains one of the most important and cost-effective tools in the United Nations arsenal for achieving international peace and security.

In conclusion, NAM is proud to have been represented by its members in almost every peacekeeping operation since 1948 and will remain engaged in advancing the cause of peace and security.

The President

I now give the floor to the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Palous (Czech Republic)

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The candidate countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the countries of the Stabilization and Association Process and potential candidates Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Armenia, align themselves with this statement.

First, I would like to thank the Turkish presidency for organizing this debate and for preparing a concept paper focusing on the relationship between the Security Council and the troop- and police-contributing countries and those contributing financially. We note that the Franco-British initiative on peacekeeping called for quarterly briefings to the Council by the Under-Secretaries-General for Peacekeeping and for Field Support. We therefore thank Alain Le Roy and Susana Malcorra for their briefings and for introducing the Secretariat's non-paper, and we hope that more briefings will follow on a regular basis.

It is in our collective interest to ensure effective and efficient United Nations peacekeeping. The European Union has actively participated in the discussions on how to address the challenges faced by United Nations peacekeeping since the initiative was launched in this Council last January by France and the United Kingdom.

The resolve to review United Nations peacekeeping and find solutions to its problems has dynamically developed, and today's discussions should contribute to the ongoing dialogue among all stakeholders. The European Union appreciates the efforts of the Japanese chairmanship of the Security Council Working Group of the Whole on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, which has been engaging troop-contributing countries, those contributing financing and regional organizations in discussions on how best to address gaps between mandates and their implementation. We also welcome the consultation process recently launched by Canada.

On the Secretariat side, the New Horizon project has been launched, and this morning we heard a briefing on the non-paper, which will provide us with a comprehensive view by the Secretariat on how best to cope with the current challenges to peacekeeping.

The European Union welcomes the momentum that has been created and expects that all these initiatives will bring substantial results in the coming months. In this respect, we look forward to further debate during the August United Kingdom presidency of the Security Council, which will take stock of the Council's efforts at putting its house in order. That should spark wider debate within the United Nations later in the year on issues pertaining to complex mission mandates.

The challenges faced by the United Nations in safeguarding international security are manifold. They stem from conflict prevention initiatives, planning and mandating peacekeeping operations and peacebuilding initiatives, through resource constraints, military expertise and effective oversight of the Security Council, to the actual implementation of mandates and the closing down of operations. As the complexity of peacekeeping missions and their operational environment has increased, it is important that decisions about the appropriate United Nations response be taken in consultations with those who carry them out.

While recognizing that the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security lies with the Security Council, the European Union stresses the need for improving and expanding existing consultation mechanisms between those who plan and manage operations and those who contribute troops and finances. That would ensure more coherent and integrated mission planning, improved command and control of operations as well as smoother and more effective implementation of mandates. The European Union welcomes the meetings between troop- and police-contributing countries and the Security Council on specific peacekeeping missions in accordance with resolution 1353 (2001), as well as the thematic meetings of the Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations. Those meetings enhance mutual confidence and cooperation. In order to achieve tangible results, we believe that strengthened commitment of both sides is desirable.

The European Union calls for further improvement of cooperation between troop- and police-contributing countries (TCCs/PCCs), the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Field Support. The European Union is in favour of the Secretariat improving the quality of information flow, organizing regular troop- and police-contributing country meetings in a timely manner prior to Security Council consultations and providing the troop- and police-contributing countries with reports on a regular basis on the political and military situations of peacekeeping operations.

The concept of the strategic military cell, as it exists within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, is one good example of a possible way forward. Strengthened communication between the TCCs and the Secretariat would also enhance managerial efficiency, operational effectiveness and accountability of United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Another challenge for United Nations missions is their peacebuilding tasks and ensuring a smooth transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding, as well as cooperation with other United Nations agencies and actors in the field. Strengthened coordination is key to our common ability to deliver.

The European Union welcomes the summary of the Secretariat's New Horizon non-paper and looks forward to the release of the non-paper itself. We welcome the main focus of the non-paper on issues such as strategy and direction, mission planning and clarity of tasks, command and control, resource availability and generation. The European Union shares the view of the Secretariat that partnerships need to be built to address the challenges of United Nations peacekeeping.

Let me touch upon some of the Secretariat's recommendations. The executive summary makes widespread reference to a more proficient partnership with regional organizations, also in planning, operating and communicating together. The European Union has a well-established partnership with the United Nations in crisis management. It is also our priority to enhance the capacity of other regional organizations, in particular the African Union.

We fully agree with the need to strengthen cooperation and reinforce interoperability with regional organization as a key tool to maximize global capacity of United Nations peacekeeping. In that regard, we would draw attention to the need for the establishment of effective transitional arrangements by the involved organizations during any handover period.

The European Union agrees that there is a need to broaden the base of contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, and we would welcome better-calibrated incentives for providing necessary capabilities. The European Union collectively contributes over 40 per cent of the peacekeeping budget and 12 per cent of United Nations peacekeepers. Many European Union member States provide significant financial resources as well as capacities to United Nations blue-helmet operations and to other United Nations-mandated operations, including in Kosovo and Afghanistan.

But we recognize that there may be more that we can do to make smarter use of available capabilities. In that regard, the European Union urges efficient management of available resources, which is more important than ever at the time of the global financial crisis. The European Union recognizes that robust peacekeeping is sometimes needed and we have to make sure that the United Nations is able to carry it out.

For the European Union, protection of civilians is a key aspect of United Nations peacekeeping that needs to be consistently incorporated into all Security Council mandates and effectively implemented. Prioritization of mandates or sequencing of their implementation needs further analysis and careful consideration. We recognize the importance of ensuring that deployed peacekeepers are fully capable of fulfilling demanding mission mandates. Effective implementation of resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), protection of civilians and other key mandated tasks require appropriate training. The European Union provides substantial financial and technical support to many troop- and police-contributing countries in those areas.

In conclusion, let me assure you that the European Union, as one of the leading contributors, remains committed to making United Nations peacekeeping more efficient and more effective. We look forward to specific results based on the current debates and to recommendations on how to move this agenda forward.

The President

I now give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Mr. Amil (Pakistan)

I would like to thank you, Sir, for organizing this important debate on peacekeeping and for this opportunity to share our views. As the top troop-contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations and a long-time participant in the policy discussions, Pakistan brings a rich and diverse perspective to this discussion. We are a major stakeholder in the success of United Nations peacekeeping. This is a collective endeavour of the Security Council, the United Nations Member States in particular, the troop-contributing countries and the Secretariat. Let me also thank the two Under-Secretaries-General -- Under-Secretary-General Le Roy and Under-Secretary-General Malcorra -- for their briefings.

Peacekeeping is today the face of the United Nations and its flagship activity. It is a major tool for the maintenance of international peace and security. While retaining its original purpose, peacekeeping has also evolved over time in response to the changing nature of conflict. Success in recent years, particularly of multidimensional operations, has led to raised expectations, increase in demand and corresponding challenges of planning and management, bridging the gap between mandates and resources and effective integration of conflict prevention and peacebuilding elements to achieve lasting and self-sustaining peace.

The shared objective of making United Nations peacekeeping work better has brought Member States together on several important initiatives and efforts on policy issues, reform, restructuring and capacity-building over the last couple of years. The latest of these -- the Secretary-General's reform proposal -- resulted in a major overhaul and reconfiguration of the United Nations peacekeeping architecture, which focused in particular on strengthening capacity at Headquarters. Of course the proposal was presented as a necessary sequel to the Brahimi process and peace agenda for 2010, and was considered a comprehensive response to the challenges confronting peacekeeping.

Member States have not yet had the opportunity to fully and properly assess and review the result and impact of that reform exercise. We do not have a clear idea of how effectively the new mechanism and structures are performing. In the meanwhile, several new initiatives by some Member States and the Secretariat -- such as the New Horizon initiative -- have been put forward.

Our preliminary analysis of those initiatives is that while they could become catalysts for discussion, there is little new as regards the major issues and challenges. And we wonder whether it is a question of exposing the limitations of past reforms, or a question of fully implementing them through a sustained effort. Nevertheless, the value of these initiatives lies in considering them in an open and transparent manner within the framework of the ongoing process to ensure coherence and best results. Apart from the Security Council, the Committee of Thirty-Four remains the best forum to discuss all these issues in a comprehensive fashion.

Pakistan welcomes the special focus that the presidency's concept note puts on cooperation and partnerships with the troop-contributing countries (TCCs). The TCCs contribute the basic building blocks of the partnership for peacekeeping. The role and engagement of the TCCs cuts across the whole range of activities in the mission cycle from early planning to deployment, management, drawdown and withdrawal of operations. It is therefore inconceivable that the effectiveness and success of the missions could be achieved unless that partnership is made more substantive and visible.

There is a clear need to enhance the level and frequency of interaction and consultations with the TCCs. Debates such as this one provide good opportunity. The Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations is also an important avenue for providing trilateral cooperation, as its recent meetings have shown. It would be more productive if those meetings were held more regularly and coincided with the Council's direction of new missions as well as the review and renewal of ongoing mandates. Moreover, focused discussion of the situation on the ground, operational issues and challenges can really add value by promoting interaction with and feedback from the TCCs. In our view, enhanced consultations in the Working Group could also catalyse the hitherto somewhat lacklustre private meetings held under resolution 1353 (2001).

There is general agreement that to ensure successful implementation of the mandates, we need a high degree of coherence between those who conceive and write mandates and those who implement them on the ground. How can we achieve that in practice? We should try to address the issue in a more innovative way through a more dynamic interplay and sharing of roles and responsibilities between the designers and implementers of mandates.

Take the issue of resources, for example. Shortfall of resources, particularly personnel and equipment, can be met by broadening the contributors base, with more burden-sharing in the field by the developed countries. Not only will they bring the required niche capabilities, the developed countries will also get first-hand experience of the resource gaps in the missions, which will better inform them in designing mandates. The existing major troop contributors, who are mostly developing countries, should, on the other hand, be accorded an increased role in the design and decision-making process in the Council, through consultations and increased representation in the Security Council.

Diversifying and expanding the contributors base and the decision makers base is also important in promoting a common understanding of the concepts, basic principles and guidelines for peacekeeping. This is essential for maintaining the credibility, legitimacy and neutrality of the United Nations, which are so essential for the continuing success of peacekeeping. We do not think there is a problem of evolution of new concepts and tools to adapt peacekeeping to changing requirements. The membership, particularly those who are contributing troops, have played an important role in facilitating the evolution and transformation of peacekeeping, including complex missions and robust mandates. That evolution, in our view, does not affect the basic principles of peacekeeping, which remain valid and relevant.

Surprisingly, some of the objections with regard to concepts and principles, and the push for certain ideas that lack consensus, come from those who are not among the contributors in the field. This participation, we believe, will provide them better insight into the possible complications and difficulties in the field. There should be no monopoly on policy- and decision-making. Let me add, from the perspective of the TCCs, that the question of decision-making and command and control is not limited to dialogue or consultations. We call for an enhanced and visible representation of major TCCs at highest-level positions at Headquarters and in the field.

Finally, in the context of a comprehensive approach, the political process and peacebuilding efforts must be pursued in parallel to the peacekeeping activity in order to ensure speedy fulfilment of mandates and to prevent relapse. The financial crunch and finite resources are all the more reason to focus on conflict prevention and resolution in the first place, not to undercut peacekeeping.

Let me conclude by saying that if the Member States regard peacekeeping as an indispensable instrument, then we should all take a strategic decision to support it fully and wholeheartedly, with the political will, burden-sharing and pooling of resources and equitable decision-making to ensure its success.

The President

I call next on the representative of Rwanda.

Mr. Ndabarasa (Rwanda)

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