외교부

Summary Report of the ARF Seminar on

“UN Peacekeeping: Challenges and Prospects”,

New Delhi, India

26-27 April, 2007

Pursuant to the decision of the 13^th ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting held in July 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, India organized a seminar on “UN Peacekeeping: Challenges and Prospects” in New Delhi on 26-27 April 2007. The seminar was held at the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, a center set up by the Government of India with an exclusive focus on Peacekeeping activities.

Experts and policy makers on peacekeeping from the ARF Members States including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, China, DPRK, the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, ROK, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as also from ASEAN Sectt, ICRC, UN, UNDP, and UNHCR participated in the Seminar.

In his welcome remarks, Lt Gen Satish Nambiar underlined that UN peacekeeping was presently under stress due to greater demands for mounting operations.  He noted with great satisfaction that UN peacekeeping was again coming to its own with powerful countries supporting its assumption of responsibility and countries of the region supporting with enthusiasm the UN efforts.  Shri K.C. Singh, Additional Secretary (international organizations) in the  Ministry of External Affairs,  in his inaugural address highlighted the emerging challenges to UN peacekeeping following the unprecedented surge in the last few years in terms of number, scope, size and operational environment.  He touched upon the UN response with its five priority areas – partnership, doctrine, personnel, organization and resources – as well as Secretary General’s efforts to strengthen and rationalize structures by building military planning, management and operational capacities including realignment of DPKO.   AS [IO] underlined the issue of safety and security of UN peacekeepers; consolidation of peacekeeping accounts; and strengthening triangular consultation mechanism among TCCs, UNSC, and UN Secretariat.  He highlighted India’s rich history of UN peacekeeping dating back to its inception and reiterated India’s firm commitment to continue contributing to the UN efforts in maintenance of international peace and security.

             The discussions took place under five themes, viz. , Integrated approach to peacekeeping; Peacebuilding and security sector reforms; Humanitarian dimensions of peacekeeping; Capacity building; and Training for peacekeeping.

Integrated Approach to Peacekeeping

             This session was chaired by India.  Presentations were made by India, DPKO, Pakistan and Indonesia.  In the presentations, it was highlighted that UN peacekeeping faces unprecedented challenges arising from the recent surge – nearly 100,000 peacekeepers in 18 operations with a significant further growth imminent – resulting in complex mandates and multi-dimensional peacekeeping operations leading to variety of tasks that are being performed.  The challenges demand appropriate focus, expertise and resources in the field and at headquarters which in turn require integrated approach to peacekeeping.

Peace-building and Security Sector Reform

             This session was chaired by Philippines.  Presentation on peace-building was made by India and on security sector reforms by Canada.  The presentations highlighted the challenges posed by post-conflict peace-building efforts.  Stress was laid on improving the coordination among development actors/agencies.  This would hinge upon unity of efforts, quick response to crisis, dissemination of information, political reconciliation efforts, etc.  Views were also expressed on practical problems emanating from Security Sector Reform [SSR], Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration [DDR], Rule of Law [ROL] and transitional justice.  Since peace-building and SSR were country-specific and involved local social, cultural, political, economic and regional factors, the need was felt to streamline the efforts in this direction.  UN’s role in state-building was recognized as it involved transition to legitimate democracy which required long-time to bear fruits and efforts to avoid relapse.

             Post-conflict stabilization meant state-building or nation-building and transition into long-term reconstruction.  Peace-building and peacekeeping should not be seen as sequential activity.  Role of peace-building should increase over that of peacekeeping.  Given the syndrome of rising conflicts, it was felt to establish an institution which would have financial resources to run it and able people to run it.

Humanitarian Dimension of Peacekeeping

             UNDP, ICRC and UNHCR made presentations on Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Conflict, Laws of Armed Conflict and Management of Refugees respectively.  Presentations highlighted the cluster of approaches and efficacies of different approaches and coordination management.  National security issues were considered of prime importance.  In the Q&A session that followed, some practical aspects of International Humanitarian Law were expressed and clarified.

Capacity Building

             The session was chaired by India.  India made presentation on capacity building for UNPKOs and Canada on Coordination of Integrated Mission Task Force.  The session discussed peacekeeping operations inter alia in Africa and highlighted the need for availability of troops to act fast, international community to improve capability in African preparedness of Regional Standby Force, role of regional organizations in peacekeeping.  The presentation also stressed on cohesive and strategic approach towards peacekeeping and peace-building, working with international organizations, NGOs, for capacity to provide logistical and financial support.  The experience in the African Union as a regional organization on capacity building was shared by delegate from Canada with the participants. The Russian delegate shared Russia’s experience in the peacekeeping both under the UN and G-8 framework.

Training of Peacekeeping

India chaired this session. Presentations were made by India, China and Japan. The presentations stressed the need to have following elements in training for peacekeepers: preparedness among the armed forces for predictable and unpredictable situations, to built capacity to operate in multi-cultural environment, language of the mission, working knowledge of the local language, negotiation techniques, computer skills. The standard training module was also discussed.  The delegate from Peoples Republic of China gave a presentation on civilian police training on peacekeeping in China.    The delegate from Japan highlighted the need to train civilians in the post-conflict situation.

Concluding Session

In the concluding session, Lt. General Susheel Gupta, AVSM, YSM, DCOAS (IS&T) summarized the discussions that took place in last two days. He said that in the current security environment success now depends on the integrated approach that includes defence, diplomacy and development.   The multi-disciplinary approach of the peace-building concept aims at avoiding the recurrence of war and also strengthens the fabric of peace through socio-economic development.  The principles of neutrality, impartiality and humanity are cornerstones for a conducive humanitarian environment.  There is a role for ARF member States in capacity-building of various regional organizations. Appropriate education and training of peacekeeping operation personnel, military, police, civilian are critical for reasons of both operational effectiveness and personal collective safety and security.  As the UN reviews and reassesses its role in peace keeping operations, changes in regional organization and arrangements offer new opportunities. 

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