Madame President,
Thank you for convening today’s open debate.
Italy aligns itself with the statement by the European Union and would like to add the following remarks in its national capacit.
Madam President,
Peacekeeping is often referred to as multilateralism in action.
Since it joined the United Nations, Italy has championed this idea by dedicating steadfast commitment, top level peacekeepers and state-of-the-art technologies to UN peacekeeping missions worldwide, becoming the largest contributor of troops among Western countries to UN peacekeeping.
Italy’s commitment to peacekeeping is rooted in the belief that peace operations must aim not only to preserve, but also to build peace.
Today, we are urged to adapt peacekeeping to new security threats and also to a different geopolitical context, but over 75 years of successes must give us the courage to look to the future with confidence and to ask ourselves not “if”, but “how” UN peacekeeping will continue to play a decisive role.
Our work should focus on two major dimensions.
The first is the “political” dimension of peacekeeping, as a peacekeeping operation is effective and sustainable as long as it is supported by a shared political will, starting with the Security Council.
This shared political will must ensure that any operation is adequately resourced, has clear and realistic mandates, commensurate with the conditions on the ground, and operates in synergy with Host Countries.
Such political will should be forged at the very outset of peacekeeping operations, also by involving the relevant regional organizations in the decision-making process, and should then remain steady and consistent during implementation.
In this regard, Italy acknowledges Africa’s significant and increasing contributions to international peace and security. The continent has demonstrated admirable courage and leadership in addressing global challenges. We therefore welcome the landmark 2719 resolution on AU-led peace support operations.
The second dimension concerns the operational effectiveness of peacekeeping.
Resources and objectives must be up to the new security challenges, in highly complex scenarios.
We commend the Secretariat for the effective efforts it has long undertaken to this end, also on the technological and digital front.
High attention must be paid also to the training of peacekeepers, who are required to possess increasingly complex and diversified skills and professionalism.
While adaptation is critical, we have already solid foundations and best practices to build on.
UNIFIL, for example, has developed over the years a successful model based on respect for the local culture, impartiality, credibility and closeness to the civilian population, thus becoming one of the most stable UN peacekeeping Missions.
Let me recall, in this regard, the longstanding contribution by Italy, which provides the United Nations with top-level training facilities such as the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, which over the years has trained, to the highest standards, over 15,000 police officers from 127 countries and 7 international organizations.
Madame President,
Reconciling these two dimensions – political sustainability and operational effectiveness – will be one of the main challenges for the future of peacekeeping operations.
Focused mandates, tailored for specific situations, may help to match goals with resources actually available, also facilitating synergies with Host Countries.
At the same time, we should not lower the level of ambition, nor to hesitate or give up on the prospect of launching new peacekeeping operations whenever they are necessary.
With the right adjustments, and a fruitful integration with peacebuilding activities, peacekeeping can continue to be a key engine of peace and stability, as it has been since the birth of the United Nations.
And Italy will continue to be its resolute and relentless supporter.
Thank you.
