PHL urges UN to address new trends in peacekeeping

The United Nations Security Council should address emerging trends and issues in UN peacekeeping operations, a Philippine official said, arguing that the international community must be forward-looking and strategic in its approach.

At the open debate on new trends in UN peacekeeping last June 13, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN Ambassador Libran Cabactulan identified three issues that the international body should address — pandemics and diseases, environmental impact and resource support issues.

“There are issues confronting us presently that must be addressed and given durable and timely solutions,” Cabactulan said. “For otherwise, these new ideas may all come to naught.”

He described pandemics and diseases as constituting “emerging threats” and called on additional studies to enhance the ability of peacekeeping missions to address pandemics and diseases.

On environmental impact, Cabactulan said care must be taken to ensure that peacekeeping missions — through effective standard operating procedures — do not leave behind footprints that negatively affect the environment and local population.   

Underscoring the need for ample and adequate resource support for peacekeeping missions, he said, “Commitments and deals must proceed toward concrete fruition.”

Speaking after the debate, Ambassador Cabactulan said the three issues on peacekeeping formed part of a nexus of concerns that were based on the need to ensure that the safety, security and health of peacekeepers were promoted and protected on the ground.

At present, there are 676 military and police personnel from the Philippines deployed to peacekeeping missions in Cote d'Ivoire, Haiti, India-Pakistan, Liberia, and the Middle East.

All in all, there are 85,000 military personnel, 12,500 police officers, 17,000 international civilian and national staff serving in 16 UN outfits on four continents.

Cabactulan said the Philippines “is steadfast in its commitment to contribute to the strengthening of UN peacekeeping operations and will do its part to engage all stakeholders, including the Security Council, to further strengthen and ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of UN peacekeeping operations.” —KBK, GMA News