Pakistan Advocates Enhanced Ceasefire Monitoring & Greater UNSC Role in Political Progress. April 08 скачать в хорошем качестве

Pakistan Advocates Enhanced Ceasefire Monitoring & Greater UNSC Role in Political Progress. April 08

Pakistan Advocates Enhanced Ceasefire Monitoring & Greater UNSC Role in Political Progress United Nations, April 8, 2025: Terming UN peacekeeping as cost-effective and deeply impactful, Pakistan has stated that peacekeeping operations, which are one of the most effective instruments of the United Nations, have evolved into a flexible and responsive multilateral tool over the years. Pakistan further said that the UN peacekeeping has helped countries tread the difficult path by transitioning from conflict to peace and adapting to complex and shifting threats and challenges. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the future of UN peacekeeping at the Security Council briefing on the Heads of Military Component (HOMC) of the UN Peacekeeping. “Next week, we will host Peacekeeping Ministerial preparatory meeting, in partnership with the Republic of Korea, in Islamabad. We are also proud to join hands with Denmark and the Republic of Korea, in a “trio” to keep this vital agenda front and center during our current tenure on the Council,” he told the 15-member Security Council. Ambassador Asim highlighted the need for timely, credible information and prompt reporting of violations for effective ceasefire monitoring and regular reporting to the Security Council by the six missions currently tasked with this role. He asked the Security Council to ensure that ceasefires lead to tangible political progress, using the pause in hostilities to support peace processes and implement resolutions—this applies to all conflicts on the Council’s agenda, including Jammu and Kashmir. He paid rich tribute to the 4,423 peacekeepers, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty including 181 Pakistani peacekeepers. “We honor their memory, bravery and service,” he added. Ambassador Asim described the military component as the backbone of UN peacekeeping, stating that the blue helmets are not just the face of UN peacekeeping – they are its pride. In order to make the ceasefire monitoring, a crucial function of peacekeeping operations, more effective, the Pakistan UN Ambassador highlighted the following key points: • Utilize drones, satellite imagery, and remote sensing tools to enhance ceasefire monitoring with real-time, cost-effective situational awareness. • Collaborate with regional and sub-regional organizations (e.g., SADC-EAC in the DRC) to boost peacekeeping impact; MONUSCO can support ceasefire efforts in eastern DRC. • Mitigate threats from landmines and IEDs through specialized training and integrated strategies; improve peacekeeper mobility with helicopters and all-terrain vehicles. • Equip peacekeepers with training on ceasefire agreements, including knowledge of local political, cultural, and social contexts. • Hold perpetrators accountable for attacks on peacekeepers; recent incidents across multiple missions highlight the urgency of this issue Ambassador Asim Iftikhar said that to date UN has deployed 71 peacekeeping operations covering a wide range of multidimensional responsibilities. And yet, the core original function of peacekeeping - monitoring and observing ceasefires – has endured. He mentioned the first two Missions – the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) –established with this purpose and continue to hold relevance till this day. He further stated that ceasefire monitoring by the UN has played a vital role in maintaining peace in several flashpoints such as Jammu and Kashmir, the Golan Heights, Cyprus, Lebanon and Western Sahara. As impartial observers, peacekeepers serve as an early warning mechanism and a deterrent to escalation. He said that all parties, including host countries, must strictly adhere to ceasefire terms and fully cooperate with UN missions by granting access, freedom of movement, and operational support. April 07, 2025