'Preventing Conflict and Keeping Peace: Changing How the UN Does Business'

Transcription

1 'Preventing Conflict and Keeping Peace: Changing How the UN Does Business' GAINESVILLE CHAPTER UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 25 OCTOBER 2018 GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

2 Introduction UNA-USA is an organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. This year s UN Day program theme is Peace Matters: Why? Why does peace matter?

3 We need to prevent conflict where possible. And, where conflict occurs, we need to seek its end and keep the peace until keeping the peace is no longer required. Introduction In its 70 years of existence, the United Nations has proven its value as a strategic instrument in preventing conflict and keeping the peace post-conflict. However, time and circumstance change and the United Nations must adapt to the modern global environment. For the next hour, our topic is 'Preventing Conflict and Keeping Peace: Changing How the UN Does Business'.

4 Sequence An honest and realistic appraisal UN strategic goals UN peace/ security: where we are Funding UN reform A practical example Summary and discussion

5 An Honest and Realistic Appraisal Conflicts have deepened Not interstate but intrastate and transnational; UN peace operations have greater danger; Grave violations of human rights and humanitarian law the end of the human rights era ; Rising inequality; Spreading intolerance; Entrenched discrimination against women; and Impact of climate change SG Report of the Work of the Organization

6 Global Challenges Requiring Global Strategies Globalization; Frontiers of technology; Climate change; Human mobility; Threat of the use of weapons of mass destruction; UN peacekeeping missions; Upholding human rights; Multiple, interconnected flashpoints; and Terrorism SG Report of the Work of the Organization

7 Global Challenges Requiring Global Strategies TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE GLOBAL CHALLENGES AND REQUIRED STRATEGIES, THE UN NEEDS TO CHANGE. LET US DISCUSS HOW PART OF THAT CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE.

8 UN Strategic Goals: Global Challenges Requiring Global Strategies Focus on prevention. Ease and end suffering while laying the foundation for stability. Make the UN fit for the 21 st century SG Report of the Work of the Organization

9 Where are the peace and security elements of the UN?

10 conflict prevention, peacemaking and post-conflict peacebuilding

11 ,000.05% peacekeeping and peace enforcement

12 1 JUL JUN 19 US contributes 28.47% China contributes 10.25% $6.7 B $1.9 B $687.7 M Peacekeeping Funding Decrease over years $8.3 B $7.87 B $7.3 B Cost-effective but needs to adapt

13 GAO : Published: Feb 21, We estimate that it would cost the United States about twice as much as the United Nations (UN) to conduct a peacekeeping operation similar to the current UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (designated "MINUSTAH"). The UN budgeted $428 million for the first 14 months of this mission. A U.S. operation in Haiti of the same size and duration would cost an estimated $876 million, far exceeding the U.S. contribution for MINUSTAH of $116 million.

14 Cost of the War in Afghanistan War in Afghanistan $773B DoD Budget Increase $243B VA Budget Increase $54.2B Total $1,070.2B DOD 2018 Estimate $45B 14,000 troops Each year cost between $63.1B to $182B. This years UN budget for 14 peacekeeping missions (110,000 peacekeepers) is $6.7B.

15 Wideranging Reform IN 2017 and 2018, the United Nations embarked on wide-ranging reform efforts to make the Organization fit for the 21 st century SG Report of the Work of the Organization

16 3 Strategic Priorities Enhancing Reforming Improving Enhancing the UN contribution to sustainable development; Reforming the peace and security architecture of the Secretariat to strengthen UN action before and after a crisis and ensure more agile and effective capacities to sustain peace; and Improving UN internal management in order to deliver SG Report of the Work of the Organization

17 UN photograph Canada in Mali

18 Peace and Security Restructuring Goals: Prioritize prevention and sustaining peace; Enhance the effectiveness and coherence of peacekeeping operations and special political missions; Address fragmentation to move towards a single, integrated peace and security pillar; and Align the peace and security pillar with the development and human rights pillars to achieve greater coherence and crosspillar coordination SG Report of the Work of the Organization

19 Peace and Security Restructuring How: On 1 January 2019, The Department of Political Affairs and the Peacebuilding Support Office will form the new Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; The Department of Peacekeeping Operations will become the Department of Peace Operations; The two departments will share a single regional politicaloperations structure, which will be responsible for the management of all political and operational peace and security activities SG Report of the Work of the Organization

20 A Very Practical Example of Change

21 ABSTRACT Since 1948, more than 3,500 personnel have lost their lives serving in United Nations peace operations with 943 due to acts of violence. During the past four years ( ) a consistent increase in peacekeeper fatalities due to violent acts resulted in 195 deaths. This report, directed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, uses internal United Nations data and reporting to analyze the causes of fatalities due to violent acts. Based upon over 160 personal interviews and the professional experience of the authors, the report provides no-nonsense, practical, short and long-term actions to reduce fatalities. The report s focus is to change the way the United Nations does business in high-security risk peacekeeping operations. DECEMBER 19, 2017 Improving Security of United Nations Peacekeepers: We need to change the way we are doing business

22 Action for Peacekeeping Initiative Focus in three areas: Refocusing peacekeeping with realistic expectations; Making peacekeeping missions stronger and safer; and Mobilizing greater support for political solutions and for well-structured, well-equipped, well-trained forces.

23 Action for Peacekeeping Diplomatic initiative through frank dialogue with Member States, the Secretariat, regional partners and donors/financial contributors. Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operations. Event in the General Assembly (September 2018).

24 A Very Practical Example of Change +/- 30%

25 Summary As well look to the 75 th anniversary of the UN in 2020, we must continue to innovate as ongoing events and problems shift beneath our feet. That innovation will ensure that the UN continues to offer a platform where Member States, regional organizations and civil society can find solutions to global problems than no nation acting alone can resolve.

26 2018 United Nations New York Annual Report of the Secretary-General on the Work of the Organization Recommended high-value reading

27 Your Take? Your Ideas?