UN debate on peace missions and their reforms
The UN Security Council held on Wednesday an annual briefing with the commanders of UN missions in Darfur, South Sudan and Mali under Poland's monthly presidency of the UN Security Council.
The main topics for discussion included the accomplishments and challenges facing personnel and the necessity of the missions' improvement.
During the briefing, participants thanked the soldiers in blue helmets for their dedication and paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the battle for peace. They also pointed to the threats faced by UN personnel in dangerous areas.
"The discussion helped us to identify the practical problems (...) The UN secretary general will prepare a very serious reform of peace mission operations," said Council President for May Joanna Wronecka. Poland suggested that the personnel's safety is endangered and the UN Council should use every opportunity to deprecate activities that pose such threats.
In their briefings, the UN representatives from the UK, Russia and the USA underscored that these obstacles have to be overcome if UN missions are to implement their mandates.
The personnel of peace missions total 110,000 people, including soldiers, military police and civilians. The fourteen active missions are located on four continents. (PAP)
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