Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Accepted in Part
United Nations peacekeeping missions require reforms, including technology and regular reviews.
Recommendation
However, we recognise that United Nations peacekeeping missions require reforms to ensure they are fit for purpose. This should include consideration of technological solutions—like the use of drones for monitoring conflict zones—to both support United Nations peacekeeping missions and reduce 50 costs in light of reducing funding from Member States such as the US. It is also important to review peacekeeping missions regularly to ensure that missions do not run on endlessly. (Conclusion, Paragraph 110)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the need for UN peacekeeping reform as part of the UN80 process, outlining its objectives for whole-of-UN mission planning, enhanced efficiencies, and tailored operations with upheld performance standards. However, it does not specifically address the recommendation to consider technological solutions like drones.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Agree. 43. HMG agrees that UN peacekeeping remains an indispensable tool for peace and agrees with the need for UN peacekeeping reform as part of the UN80 process. HMG’s overarching reform objective is for peacekeeping mission planning to take a whole-of-UN perspective and approach, allowing peace operations to focus on security and political tasks where they have a comparative advantage, while development or humanitarian actors lead complementary work to avoid duplication. Throughout UN80 the UK is also advocating for enhanced efficiencies and reduction in overlap of UN peacekeeping structures, including within the Department of Peace Operations (DPO) and the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA). The role of the UN Secretary General’s good offices remains critical, especially through the Secretary-General’s own platform as a global mediator-in-chief. Additional HMG reform priorities are focussed on ensuring peacekeeping operations are tailored to local contexts adapt as situations change, and are improved through appropriate training and equipment and by ensuring performance and conduct standards are upheld. 44. HMG recognises the importance and complimentary nature of peacekeeping and peacebuilding activity. HMG cannot divert funding from UN peacekeeping to UN peacebuilding activity as UN peacekeeping funding is non-discretionary and made via assessed UN contributions. The UK’s contribution for the 2025/26 UN Peacekeeping fiscal year (July to June) is $245m (4.7454% of the $5.16b overall peacekeeping budget). As a P5 member, the UK is the fifth largest contributor with the percentage of what each member state contributes agreed every three years. Instead, HMG engages closely with the UN Peacebuilding Support Office and the UK remains a top donor to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, investing a further £5.5 million this financial year.