(Please check against delivery) Statement by Mr. Danny Rahdiansyah First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia on behalf of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) before the Special Political and Decolonization Committee (Fourth Committee) of the 72 nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly Agenda Item 55: Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects New York, 25 October 2017
Mr. Chairman, 1. I am honored to speak on behalf of the Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprising Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Thailand, the Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and my own country, Indonesia. 2. ASEAN aligns itself with the statement by Morocco on behalf of the Non- Aligned Movement. 3. ASEAN thanks the Under-Secretary General of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and Under-Secretary General of the Department of Field Support (DFS) for their statements, which once again signify the vital role of UN peacekeeping operations in the promotion of international peace and security. 4. 2017 marks a renewed approach with the concept of sustaining peace. In this regard, UN peacekeeping, as an indispensable element of sustaining peace will remain vital in today s peace continuum - from prevention and conflict resolution to peacebuilding and long term-development. 5. While ASEAN takes note of the on-going process to reform peace and security architecture, particularly in making UN peacekeeping more efficient and effective, ASEAN underscores, at the same time, the maintenance and enhancement of the necessary capability and support needed to ensure that the missions can deliver according to the mandates, and that safety and security of peacekeepers are guaranteed. 6. ASEAN welcomes the high-level event on sustaining peace that will be convened in April 2018. The forum will be useful, particularly to ensure that peacekeeping in all its aspects corresponds to the concept of sustaining peace and the review of peace and security architecture. 1
Mr. Chairman, 7. ASEAN accords high significance to the cause of UN peacekeeping, and would like to underline following additional points: 8. First, ASEAN reaffirms that the basic principles of UN peacekeeping, namely consent of the parties, impartiality, and non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate remain relevant despite increasingly challenging circumstances in missions. 9. Second, ASEAN believes that political solutions should be at the heart of the design and decision to deploy peacekeeping operations. Military engagements alone will not lead to lasting peace. In this regard, ASEAN supports the crucial role of good offices, civilian capacity, preventive diplomacy and mediation along with fully strengthening peacebuilding. 10. Third, ASEAN strongly condemns all acts of violence against UN peacekeepers and its contingents. However, this situation should not be a justification for peacekeepers to engage in counter-terrorism, which can have a very different dimension. Perception of neutrality and credibility is essential for blue helmets to discharge their tasks. There has to be a priority on enhancing situational awareness and response capabilities of peacekeepers through effective predeployment training and adequate protection equipment in this regard. 11. Fourth, ASEAN shares international community s concerns on the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). In light of this, ASEAN notes the Secretary-General efforts, initiatives and policies on SEA. ASEAN will continue to work together with him in making zero complacency and zero impunity a reality. 12. Fifth, ASEAN supports innovative steps to increase the number of women peacekeepers. ASEAN encourages the DPKO and other relevant entities to assist the Member States in developing national action plans, aimed at increasing the number of women peacekeepers. 2
13. Sixth, ASEAN stresses the importance of cooperation and partnerships between the UN, Member States, as well as regional and sub-regional organizations, under Chapter 8 of the UN Charter. ASEAN welcomes regional solutions to supports the strengthening of partnerships both at strategic and operational levels. 14. Finally, ASEAN emphasizes early engagement and inclusive consultations between the Security Council, the Secretariat, relevant troops and police contributing countries, regional actors as well as host countries not only in drafting, review and adjustment of missions mandates but in strategic and political matters affecting the missions. Involvement of host countries of UN peacekeeping missions is also important because they know realities on the ground and can provide credible information for decision-making and mandate formulation. Mr. Chairman, 15. Peacekeeping is one of the main elements of ASEAN political and security cooperation. Recently, ASEAN has convened the 11 th ASEAN Defence Minister s Meeting Plus Expert Working Group on peacekeeping operation in Canberra, Australia to share experience and expertise within ASEAN and among dialogue partners on various important issues, including PCRS standard, protection of civilian strategy, and the role of women peacekeepers. 16. Moreover, around 4,700 police, military advisers and troops from ASEAN countries are currently contributing in 12 UN peacekeeping missions. State-ofthe-art training facilities in ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia have been established to provide effective pre-deployment training for peacekeeping operations. 17. Mr. Chairman, rest assured that ASEAN remains committed to further enhance the work and quality of its UN peacekeepers, and will contribute effectively in the maintenance of international peace and security. 3
Mr. Chairman, 18. Allow me now to speak briefly in my national capacity on following additional aspects: 19. First, since UN peacekeeping, as a partnership, requires all of its partners working in concert, Indonesia underlines that: One, in the on-going process to reform peace and security architecture, the UN Secretariat, including the DPKO and DFS should have greater consultation with T/PCCs and other relevant actors. The consultation should encompass all issues, including meeting the pledges, gaps and required critical enablers. Only through a meaningful dialogue and ownership of steps taken can we ensure that the old and new challenges are tackled and peacekeeping missions navigated effectively. Two, the restructuring of the peace and security architecture should also go hand-in-hand with the reform in the management realm. 20. Second, as missions transition from peacekeeping to political or special political missions (SPMs), the issues of insufficient capacities and finances have come up too many times. Sustaining peace necessitates that, among others, the whole continuum of peace is adequately resourced - materially, financially and politically. We will continue to stress and support these issues, including in the Fifth Committee. We hope that the Members of this Committee will also render similar support. 21. Third, the UN system still needs greater focus on the safety, security and wellbeing of the peacekeepers and related civilian staff. There should not be any gaps to that end. 22. Fourth, gender perspective needs to be better integrated into UN peacekeeping, including with more females in peacekeeping operations as well as important positions in the DPKO and DFS. To date, Indonesia has deployed 258 women military in four missions. There are currently 67 women in 2,713 Indonesian personnel deployed in nine (9) UN peacekeeping missions. 4
23. In closing, let me reiterate that Indonesia is also fully committed to the prevention of any sexual exploitation and abuse. On 18 September 2017, we were one of the first countries that signed the voluntary compact on this with the UN. 24. Indonesia remains determined to contribute in the maintenance of international peace and security, particularly through UN peacekeeping. Thank you. ------------------------------- 5