Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Accepted in Part
Set out long-term plan for reforming UN peacekeeping bodies and aligning with UN80 agenda
Recommendation
It is clear that United Nations peacekeeping requires reform, and we support the Government’s efforts to promote a leaner peacekeeping and peace and security architecture at the UN. However, we would urge the Government to maintain UK investment in conflict prevention, including through the UN. The Government should: a. Set out, in its response to this report, its long-term plan to reform the over-inflated peacekeeping bodies and missions at the United Nations and how those plans fit into the United Nations 80 (UN80) agenda. The Government should detail its specific objectives. It should also consider whether in some places, redirecting investments to other UN arms, such as the UN Peacebuilding Support Office and its Peacebuilding Fund, could deliver the same or more impact at a fraction of the cost. b. Drive forward the review and closure of United Nations peacekeeping structures, missions, mandates and agencies which overlap or those which are not delivering their objective of promoting mediation and security. Additionally, the Government should outline its internal review process for deciding how mandates are evaluated. c. Lead on efforts to create a unified and singular United Nations peace and security structure, which is focused on mediation and conflict resolution. This structure should be responsible to the United Nations Security Council. d. Outline how it will use its penholdership of this file to promote, secure and further the United Nations’ role in peace, security and mediation and detail what conflicts it will identify as priorities. e. Seek to ensure that United Nations peacekeeping budgets and relevant peacekeeping mandates are financially supported despite the increasing polarisation evident on the United Nations Security Council, which may hinder regular budgetary processes. f. Actively push for the use of technology, particularly drones, in peacekeeping as a way to mitigate costs and promote safety in regions where peacekeepers may be at greater
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the need for UN peacekeeping reform, outlining its overarching reform objectives within the UN80 process, including enhanced efficiencies and tailored operations. They state they cannot divert peacekeeping funding but are a top donor to the Peacebuilding Fund, and describe ongoing efforts as penholder to advocate for UN legitimacy and WPS during budget negotiations, but do not address the use of 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.