Statement of Latvia by Oļegs Iļģis, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Latvia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Open Debate "The Future of Peace Operations: Key Issues, Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of the Review on the Future of All Forms of UN Peace Operations"
New York, 9 September 2025
Mr President,
I thank the Republic of Korea for its leadership and convening this important debate that follows meetings on peace operations held by Denmark and Pakistan. I also thank the briefers – USG Lacroix, USG Dicarlo, Ambassador Zahneisen and Ms Russo for their insightful contributions.
Mr President,
UN peace operations remain an essential instrument for maintaining international peace and security. They have a proven track record contributing to stability in regions across the world. However, we are witnessing a growing crisis of confidence in these operations, stemming from a lack of political support and financial constraints. The review on the future of UN peace operations offers an opportunity to address this crisis and chart a path forward. As an incoming member of the Security Council, Latvia is committed to prioritising UN deployments.
Mr President,
While peace operations are complex endeavours whose success depends on a myriad of factors, today I will focus on three elements: embedding peace operations within the overall UN peace continuum; rethinking the approach to their mandates; and equipping them with up‑to‑date tools.
- First, peace operations should serve as means to achieve political results. They must be closely aligned with other UN lines of action, including mediation, peacebuilding, and development assistance. Furthermore, they should remain adaptable as situations evolve. From the outset, clear benchmarks should be established to enable timely rightsizing and transition of peace operations in line with the conditions on the ground.
- Second, we need to revisit the approach to mandates of peace operations. The Council should reassert its role providing strategic guidance for crafting realistic mandates that advance political objectives and foster unity of purpose among the host nation, TCCs, PCCs, and local communities. The mandates need to be clear and tailored to the specific context, reflecting the comparative advantage of peace operations over other tools. While focusing on core tasks, we must remember that the legitimacy of peace operations depends on their ability to address the needs on the ground, including through protection of civilians and upholding of human rights.
- Third, while mandates provide the blueprint, peace operations require the right tools to translate them into reality. To meet today’s challenges, operations must harness modern technology as a force multiplier. Emerging tools, such as A.I. and unmanned systems, can enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency. They can also help counter threats that themselves arise from technology - in particular, the spread of disinformation targeting peacekeepers. Significant progress has been made, including the adoption of the Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping. It is now essential to assess the state of its implementation.
Mr President,
UN peace operations are among the most cost-effective instruments in the arsenal of international community. The review of UN peace operations takes place as the UN as a whole undergoes transformation through the UN80 initiative. These two efforts should proceed in lockstep, reinforcing one another and contributing to a renewed commitment to the UN and to peace operations.
I thank you.
Full video recording (timestamp: 3:16:07)
Deputy Permanent Representative Oļegs Iļģis
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