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Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Mr. Dennis Francis,\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n at the <\/b><\/span>Opening Session of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 20 February 2024\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n [As Delivered]<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies Distinguished Delegates,<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n Let me begin by expressing my appreciation for the opportunity to address the first meeting of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations<\/b>\u00a0today.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I extend my warm congratulations to the Chair and to the other Bureau members on your deserved election to lead the work of this truly Special Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I am delighted to note that the Committee adopted a substantive report of its work last year, and I remain optimistic about achieving a positive outcome of deliberations this session.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Peacekeeping remains a primary tool of the United Nations in protecting civilian populations; averting the festering of hostilities; preventing violence and human rights abuses; and bolstering security in some of the most challenging places in our world.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In many ways, peacekeepers embody the literal meaning of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Charter’s pledge: to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But this does not come without a price.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I would be remiss not to acknowledge the courage and sacrifice of peacekeepers, the men and women who often venture into areas torn by conflict where others hesitate \u2013 at great personal risk.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many have paid the ultimate price. In fact, 4,345<\/b>\u00a0Peacekeepers have lost their lives since the inception of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ peacekeeping operations.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Keeping and nurturing peace remains a concerted global endeavor, with every member of the C34 playing a crucial role \u2013 be it as host country, troop, police and financial contributor, or capacity-builder, trainer, and equipment supplier.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now, the mantle falls upon you in this room \u2013 diplomats, experts, and negotiators \u2013 to play your part.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your role as members of the C34 \u2013 charged with an in-depth review of peacekeeping operations \u2013 holds immense significance.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In executing your mandate, it is crucial to recognize and empower all those who are involved in peacekeeping \u2013 with particular emphasis on women, in line with Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000).<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You are better positioned to shape a sustainable and long-term trajectory of Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ peacekeeping efforts \u2013 and to determine how to ensure their alignment with the ambitious vision outlined in the New Agenda for Peace<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I, therefore, applaud the committee for its proposals and recommendations in its last report (A\/77\/19) regarding “the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women at all levels and stages of conflict prevention, peace processes, and political solutions to conflict\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I must emphasize here that, it is crucial to also channel adequate resources into strengthening pre-deployment readiness, and to focus on enhancing the capabilities of peacekeepers \u2013 aiming for excellence in their responsibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Such measures are vital to safeguard civilians against violence and reinforce our shared obligation to guarantee that all peacekeeping missions are provided with the necessary support \u2013 including adequate funding \u2013 to fulfill their mandates.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n Distinguished Delegates,<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to peace in today\u2019s fractured world, let us reflect on the lessons history has taught us \u2013 including humanity\u2019s remarkable ability to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P)<\/b>\u00a0and the subsequent Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+)<\/b>\u00a0initiatives stand as testaments to our collective resolve and ingenuity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Yet, I echo the Secretary-General’s sentiments in his New Agenda for Peace. The present moment requires that we seriously reflect on the future trajectory of peacekeeping.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The evolving peacekeeping landscape \u2013 marked by geopolitical tensions, escalating conflict, and the swift emergence of new challenges, technologies, and threats \u2013 demands a nuanced and comprehensive response on our part to secure international peace and security.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In your responsibility to conduct a “comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects\u201d, now is the time to set aside differences and focus instead on reaching a consensus.<\/span><\/p>\n In these moments, find resolve by remembering the human element of peacekeeping: the\u00a078,677<\/b>\u00a0personnel, their families, and the millions of people they protect and serve worldwide.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As the President of the General Assembly, I offer my full support in this critical endeavor.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thank you.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Remarks by the President of the General Assembly,\u00a0 Mr. Dennis Francis,\u00a0 at the Opening Session of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations 20 February 2024\u00a0 [As Delivered] ExcellenciesElected members […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-275735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-speeches","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n
Elected members of the bureau<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n