Mr. Chairman,
Let me start to take this opportunity, Mr. Chairman, to pay tribute to those who during the last year gave their life in the service of peace and have them in our thoughts when we debate the future of UN peacekeeping.
On Friday evening we met in the General Assembly hall for an evening of music and testimony dedicated to our peacekeepers and their devoted staff.
Friday we also have heard comprehensive briefings by USGs Le Roy and Malcorra and we are grateful fort them.
We have received compelling evidence of how daunting the challenges facing UN peacekeeping really have become.
The New Horizon study provides us with just that – A new horizon, - where quality and capability supersedes numbers, and where we build on and walk shoulder to shoulder with other ongoing reform endeavours:
- The one UN
- the review of the Peacebuilding Commission
- and administrative reform.
We believe that protection of civilians must be at the heart of the New Horizon process. We must also develop the capability-driven approach, and improve the field support strategy.
To change the focus, we need to discuss the establishment of a new incentive structure. Norway is ready to play a part in this and to support the Secretariat in its efforts to devise a capability-based approach.
Norway favours a similar approach to the design of the UN’s field support system. We must strengthen the flexibility of the UN’s operational and administrative support apparatus. We must also improve the UN’s logistical system. Norway supports USG Malcorra in her endeavours to develop a comprehensive field support strategy. Norway will follow up this issue closely in the Fifth Committee.
We must strengthen the role of partnerships and focus on the link and transition between peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
Norway welcomes the recent development of the body of norms protecting civilians and in particular Security Council resolutions 1888 and 1889. Recent reports about appalling sexual violence against women in Eastern Congo underline the urgency of the matter. We must ensure that UN peacekeepers are prepared in the best way possible to implement protection mandates. The mandates must be clear and enforceable, the leaders must know their responsibility and the troops and personnel must be trained accordingly.
Norway is heartened that DPKO and OCHA are giving priority to concepts and guidelines for protection of civilians. Each mission is unique, but experience can be shared.
- Humanitarian assistance must be protected and given access.
- security sector reform is needed.
- Unless people feel reasonably safe, economic life will suffer too and development will come to a halt or be reversed.
We must also address bottlenecks in the deployment of civilian personnel, who often play a crucial role in civilian protection. The tasks in this field are enormous, and many different actors and agencies are involved. This means that strong leadership and clear communication of roles and responsibilities are essential.
Norway is ready to engage with the Secretariat and other interested partners to support the development of protection strategies. Such strategies must include support to host governments, which bear the ultimate responsibility for the safety and security of their citizens.
A stronger focus on the protection of civilians requires a more consistent model for policing. I am pleased to announce that Norway has decided to fund the DPKO project to develop a strategic doctrinal framework for international police peacekeeping. An overarching doctrinal framework is critical to the effective implementation of mandates and to the safety and security of UN police officers.
As we speak, the Security Council is debating the Secretary General’s new report on support to African Union peacekeeping operations authorised by the UN. I hope the debate will result in agreement on actions that will further strengthen the AU’s capacity to undertake successful peacekeeping operations. Norway is actively engaged with African partners in the training of civilian African personnel through our Training for Peace programme. Together with our Nordic partners, and in cooperation with EASBRICOM, we are also contributing to military capacity-building in East Africa.
Finally, Norway would like to emphasise that peacekeeping is only one component of the comprehensive efforts that are needed to build sustainable peace. Peacekeeping operations must be accompanied by a viable political strategy and by a well-funded peacebuilding process. The New Horizon report combined with the Secretary General’s June report on peacebuilding constitute a solid basis for us to move forward in strengthening the UN’s capacity to maintain international peace and security.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.