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I have the honour to make this Statement on behalf of the CANZ group of countries – Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
I would like to open by thanking Jean-Marie Guéhenno and Jane Holl Lute for their presentations yesterday and I commend them and the Secretariat for their continued efforts attending to the unprecedented surge in UN-led peace operations. The work undertaken is so important in supporting fragile nations and helping to restore a level of normality to the lives of the people so badly affected by conflict.
The substantial challenges of dealing with the surge in peacekeeping have put an unparalleled strain on the Secretariat and Member States alike. Earlier this year the membership unanimously supported the Secretary-General’s initiative to advance the priorities set out in Peace Operations 2010 through a restructuring focused on strengthening, realigning and integrating headquarters capacities. We recognise that the process to recruit staff is lengthy. However, CANZ is concerned that the pressure on existing staff continues to be immense, and this ongoing lack of capacity is directly impacting the safe and efficient conduct of peace operations. CANZ looks forward to seeing progress on the integration aspects of the reform agenda, in particular the standing up of the Integrated Operations Teams and the implementation of the Integrated Mission Planning Process.
Mr Chairman,
CANZ is encouraged by the developing work of the Mediation Support Unit that has been created within the Department of Political Affairs. We understand that the Secretary-General intends to submit a proposal to strengthen the role of the Department of Political Affairs and increase its mediation and conflict resolution capacity. We look forward to considering this proposal. In that context, our delegations strongly believe that all must be done to avoid duplication of personnel and functions and to establish an organisational structure able to effectively coordinate all departments involved in field operations. CANZ urges all UN departments and agencies to critically review their peace operations functions with a view to eliminating duplication and maximising efficiency.
Working effectively in conflict and post conflict situations requires a holistic approach encompassing security, political and economic affairs, development aid and humanitarian assistance. We would welcome discussions on how the UN can best provide unified leadership, supported by a strategic analysis and planning capacity to coordinate the efforts of all UN departments and agencies. CANZ looks forward to the day when the United Nations system will be able to comprehensively manage the seamless transition from conflict prevention to peace building through a cohesive approach to multidimensional peace operations.
Mr Chairman,
CANZ is cognisant that the restructuring of DPKO has consumed much time and energy and that some operational matters have been delayed on which CANZ would like to see progress during this 62nd Session. I will now mention some of those matters.
Enhanced Rapid Deployment Capacity
The lack of a rapid response capacity remains a major factor hampering peacekeeping operations. With today’s strain on the availability of peacekeepers and the need to respond to regional emergencies there remains little capacity in the international arena to deliver on the proposed ERDC policy.
As expressed in the 2007 C-34 Report, CANZ would like to see constructive engagement with all TCCs on ERDC in order to advance this initiative.
Civilian Field Staff
CANZ has long supported human resources reform, including for peacekeeping operations. CANZ would like to see a system that retains expertise, facilitates mobility between headquarters and the field (including between Missions), provides needed training such as the proposed senior mission administration and resource training program (SMART), provides training and development throughout the careers of civilian field staff, and reduces vacancy rates in peace operations. To the extent possible, the system should also seek to provide equitable conditions of service to staff working in the harshest environments. We welcome the issuance of a number of reports that may provide a way ahead in the development of a human resource system that addresses the requirements of the field, and provides for a rapidly deployable and sustainable civilian peacekeeping capacity. CANZ believes that the time has come for the General Assembly to seriously tackle this issue, and looks forward to the consideration of the proposals in the Fifth Committee.
Standing Police and Military Capacities
We note the disappointing delays in the recruitment for the Standing Police Capacity. While it is pleasing to see that some planning has been undertaken by the 17 police officers currently recruited we request the urgent establishment and operationalisation of the 25 funded posts. Much like the Standing Police Capacity, we see the requirement for a Military Staff Capacity as being able to contribute to the start up of a Mission, thus reducing delays in deployment that often occur. As previous attempts to provide this capacity appear to have faltered, a new approach needs to be considered.
CANZ has noted the rapid increase in the demand for both military personnel and police officers. We urge DPKO to work with potential contributing countries and donors to develop a workable strategic plan to meet the requirement for the short notice deployment of high calibre officers.
Security Sector Reform
Security Sector Reform (SSR) activities are increasingly being mandated in UN peace operations. CANZ supports United Nations engagement in SSR activity undertaken in concert with the host government, and encourages greater consistency with regard to the inclusion of SSR in integrated mission mandates. We support a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated UN approach to SSR that includes both capacity building and civilian oversight mechanisms for the security system. We look forward to receiving the report of the Secretary-General on developing a UN approach to SSR before the end of the year.
Responsibility to Protect
One of the most important achievements of the 2005 World Summit was the acknowledgment by the General Assembly of the responsibility to protect populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Further work on operationalising the concept of the responsibility to protect is crucial. We look forward to the Secretary-General’s assessment on the way forward. In this regard CANZ welcomes the recent appointment of Edward Luck as the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser for the Responsibility to Protect.
Mr Chairman,
While we urge the Secretariat to renew its determination and make some progress on these issues I have just mentioned, CANZ would like to reflect on some of the successes of the last year.
CANZ commends the work of DPKO in developing the Capstone Doctrine. This guidance provides an important framework for understanding how DPKO conducts peace operations. But the impetus to complete the remainder of the project should not be lost. CANZ stands ready to assist with the development of the subordinate documentation that will complement this Doctrine.
The problem of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse remains an issue that stains the integrity of the United Nations. Despite the best efforts of the Secretariat and the significant resources allocated to eliminating this unacceptable behaviour, incidents of SEA and serious misconduct continue to be perpetrated by UN peacekeeping personnel, often with impunity. We are concerned that these incidents continue to occur. At the same time we are pleased at the success of the C34 in integrating conduct and discipline provisions into the Model MOU. The work done on the MOU, along with other UN initiatives should go some way to ensuring the accountability of UN peacekeeping personnel. CANZ strongly supports the Secretariat’s focus on combating SEA through training programmes and welfare and recreation initiatives. We will assist in the development of any other preventive measures. CANZ is also working constructively with other Member States in the Sixth Committee to address criminal accountability of UN staff members and experts on mission.
Earlier this year, the C34 agreed to pass the Victim Assistance Strategy to the General Assembly for debate. CANZ recognises the early advances made by the ad hoc Working Group and encourages all Member States to support the strategy so it can be agreed during this Session, and assistance can be made available to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Lastly, we also welcome recent efforts referenced yesterday to increase the participation of women in peacekeeping – both in the field and at headquarters.
Mr Chairman,
In concluding this address I wish to reaffirm CANZ’s strong commitment to supporting the United Nations in the conduct of its peace operations. We look to the Secretary-General and the Secretariat for strong leadership, clear and usable doctrine and a high level of coordinated support commensurate to the safe and effective conduct of peace operations. As we are called upon to respond to the challenges of contemporary peace operations, we need to act as one and ensure the effectiveness of the distinctive and unique role of the Organisation.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.
