Summary Report of the ARF Seminar on
“UN Peacekeeping: Challenges and Prospects”,
New Delhi, India
26-27 April, 2007
Pursuant to the decision of the 13th ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial
Meeting held in July 2006 in Kuala Lumpur, India organized a seminar on “UN
Peacekeeping: Challenges and Prospects” in New Delhi on 26-27 April 2007. The
seminar was held at the Centre for UN Peacekeeping, a center set up by the
Government of India with an exclusive focus on Peacekeeping activities.
Experts and policy makers on peacekeeping from the ARF Members States
including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, China, DPRK, the EU, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, ROK, Russia,
Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, as also from ASEAN Sectt, ICRC, UN, UNDP,
and UNHCR participated in the Seminar.
In his welcome remarks, Lt Gen Satish Nambiar underlined that UN
peacekeeping was presently under stress due to greater demands for mounting
operations. He noted with great satisfaction that UN peacekeeping was again
coming to its own with powerful countries supporting its assumption of
responsibility and countries of the region supporting with enthusiasm the UN
efforts. Shri K.C. Singh, Additional Secretary (international organizations) in the
Ministry of External Affairs, in his inaugural address highlighted the emerging
challenges to UN peacekeeping following the unprecedented surge in the last few
years in terms of number, scope, size and operational environment. He touched
upon the UN response with its five priority areas – partnership, doctrine,
personnel, organization and resources – as well as Secretary General’s efforts to
strengthen and rationalize structures by building military planning, management
and operational capacities including realignment of DPKO. AS [IO] underlined
the issue of safety and security of UN peacekeepers; consolidation of
peacekeeping accounts; and strengthening triangular consultation mechanism
among TCCs, UNSC, and UN Secretariat. He highlighted India’s rich history of
UN peacekeeping dating back to its inception and reiterated India’s firm
commitment to continue contributing to the UN efforts in maintenance of
international peace and security.
The discussions took place under five themes, viz. , Integrated approach to
peacekeeping; Peacebuilding and security sector reforms; Humanitarian
dimensions of peacekeeping; Capacity building; and Training for peacekeeping.
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Integrated Approach to Peacekeeping
This session was chaired by India. Presentations were made by India,
DPKO, Pakistan and Indonesia. In the presentations, it was highlighted that UN
peacekeeping faces unprecedented challenges arising from the recent surge –
nearly 100,000 peacekeepers in 18 operations with a significant further growth
imminent – resulting in complex mandates and multi-dimensional peacekeeping
operations leading to variety of tasks that are being performed. The challenges
demand appropriate focus, expertise and resources in the field and at headquarters
which in turn require integrated approach to peacekeeping.
Peace-building and Security Sector Reform
This session was chaired by Philippines. Presentation on peace-building
was made by India and on security sector reforms by Canada. The presentations
highlighted the challenges posed by post-conflict peace-building efforts. Stress
was laid on improving the coordination among development actors/agencies. This
would hinge upon unity of efforts, quick response to crisis, dissemination of
information, political reconciliation efforts, etc. Views were also expressed on
practical problems emanating from Security Sector Reform [SSR], Disarmament,
Demobilization and Reintegration [DDR], Rule of Law [ROL] and transitional
justice. Since peace-building and SSR were country-specific and involved local
social, cultural, political, economic and regional factors, the need was felt to
streamline the efforts in this direction. UN’s role in state-building was recognized
as it involved transition to legitimate democracy which required long-time to bear
fruits and efforts to avoid relapse.
Post-conflict stabilization meant state-building or nation-building and
transition into long-term reconstruction. Peace-building and peacekeeping should
not be seen as sequential activity. Role of peace-building should increase over
that of peacekeeping. Given the syndrome of rising conflicts, it was felt to
establish an institution which would have financial resources to run it and able
people to run it.
Humanitarian Dimension of Peacekeeping
UNDP, ICRC and UNHCR made presentations on Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs in Conflict, Laws of Armed Conflict and Management of
Refugees respectively. Presentations highlighted the cluster of approaches and
efficacies of different approaches and coordination management. National
security issues were considered of prime importance. In the Q&A session that
followed, some practical aspects of International Humanitarian Law were
expressed and clarified.
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Capacity Building
The session was chaired by India. India made presentation on capacity
building for UNPKOs and Canada on Coordination of Integrated Mission Task
Force. The session discussed peacekeeping operations inter alia in Africa and
highlighted the need for availability of troops to act fast, international community
to improve capability in African preparedness of Regional Standby Force, role of
regional organizations in peacekeeping. The presentation also stressed on
cohesive and strategic approach towards peacekeeping and peace-building,
working with international organizations, NGOs, for capacity to provide logistical
and financial support. The experience in the African Union as a regional
organization on capacity building was shared by delegate from Canada with the
participants. The Russian delegate shared Russia’s experience in the peacekeeping
both under the UN and G-8 framework.
Training of Peacekeeping
India chaired this session. Presentations were made by India, China and
Japan. The presentations stressed the need to have following elements in training
for peacekeepers: preparedness among the armed forces for predictable and
unpredictable situations, to built capacity to operate in multi-cultural environment,
language of the mission, working knowledge of the local language, negotiation
techniques, computer skills. The standard training module was also discussed.
The delegate from Peoples Republic of China gave a presentation on civilian
police training on peacekeeping in China. The delegate from Japan highlighted
the need to train civilians in the post-conflict situation.
Concluding Session
In the concluding session, Lt. General Susheel Gupta, AVSM, YSM,
DCOAS (IS&T) summarized the discussions that took place in last two days. He
said that in the current security environment success now depends on the
integrated approach that includes defence, diplomacy and development. The
multi-disciplinary approach of the peace-building concept aims at avoiding the
recurrence of war and also strengthens the fabric of peace through socio-economic
development. The principles of neutrality, impartiality and humanity are
cornerstones for a conducive humanitarian environment. There is a role for ARF
member States in capacity-building of various regional organizations. Appropriate
education and training of peacekeeping operation personnel, military, police,
civilian are critical for reasons of both operational effectiveness and personal
collective safety and security. As the UN reviews and reassesses its role in peace
keeping operations, changes in regional organization and arrangements offer new
opportunities.
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