Nordic-Baltic Statement at the Security Council High-Level Open Debate Advancing Adaptability In United Nations Peace Operations – Responding To New Realities
New York, 24 March 2025
Madam President,
Members of the Security Council,
I deliver this statement on behalf of Nordic and Baltic countries - Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Latvia. The statement comes in addition to the statement made by Denmark in their national capacity.
We welcome holding of this open debate and thank the briefers for sharing their insights.
Madam President,
The UN peace operations are an essential instrument for the maintenance of international peace and security. For almost eight decades UN peacekeeping operations and special political missions have embodied multilateralism in action. Peacekeepers from all over the world have come together to provide collective response to international challenges. The mandates and tasks of peace operations have advanced full application of international law, including the UN Charter. However, UN peace operations cannot succeed without steadfast support of this Council. The role of the Security Council is crucial in pursuing political solutions that operations are designed to support.
Madam President,
Ability to adapt is key to successful peace operations. To ensure continued effectiveness and relevance of these instruments, it is imperative that we bring them in line with the current realities and requirements. The review of UN peace operations requested in the Pact for the Future should address peace operations holistically, to ensure we have a toolbox that responds to different and changing circumstances. Please allow me to outline three priorities in this regard:
First, to achieve their goals, the UN peace operations have to be fully integrated in long-term UN system-wide efforts aimed at fostering peace and stability. Overcoming silo approach is of paramount importance. From the outset, when planning or adapting UN peace operations, they need to be synced with other UN lines of action, such as political engagement and mediation, peacebuilding projects and development programs. To effectively embed UN peace operations in broader UN efforts, the Council needs to actively engage with other UN institutions, including the Peacebuilding Commission and ECOSOC. In this regard, the UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review should provide options for a stronger cooperation between the PBC and the Council.
Second, UN peace operations should address the needs on the ground, in line with the security aspirations of local populations. Protection of civilians should remain as a priority task. Modular approaches, as suggested in the recent study on the new models of future peacekeeping, could help avoid overstretched, costly mission mandates, and ensure that peace operations are targeted, agile and well-suited to their unique situation.
Combining several models into one tailored package would also foster clarity about operation’s strategic goals on a day-to-day basis. This modular approach would not only be relevant when establishing a peace operation, but could also assist in designing different phases across operation’s life cycle, including downsizing, transition and exit. Furthermore, it is essential to enhance operational planning, including contingency planning, of UN peacekeeping operations.
Third, engagement with partners and stakeholders across all levels is of paramount importance to ensure that peace operations can effectively implement their mandates. In addition to proactive approach to keep buy‑in from host nations, the UN should also engage more actively with neighbouring states as well as regional and sub-regional organizations, which can have positive impact on regional security dynamics. While recognizing comparative advantage of the UN peace operations in various scenarios, the UN should also support peacekeeping efforts by relevant regional organisations, in particular the African Union. Implementation of the Security Council resolution 2719 in assistance to the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia would be a crucial step in this regard. In addition to state authorities, the UN peace operations should also listen to the voices of local actors. They should ensure full, equal and meaningful inclusion of women, and empower youth, in line with the WPS and YPS agendas.
Madam President,
To conclude, we need to use the momentum to ensure that the UN peace operations stay ahead of the curve and continue to deliver on their mandates in increasingly complex international environment. The UN peacekeeping ministerial in Berlin, as well as the Secretary General’s review of UN peace operations provide us with an outstanding opportunity to deliver on this task. To succeed, these deliberations will need to factor-in all relevant developments, including emerging technologies such as A.I. and challenges to information integrity. The result of these efforts will determine not only the future of UN peace operations, but will shape the future of the UN as a whole.
I thank you.