Partnerships key to blue helmet success: UN

Building lasting partnerships is essential if the blue helmets serving with United Nations peacekeeping missions are to successfully respond to the latest threats and challenges worldwide, the UN’s top official in India says.

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, told a conference in New Delhi that “strong, collaborative relationships” are needed to bridge the gap between the mandates given and the mission capabilities of UN peacekeeping operations.

“In order for our peacekeepers to respond to the challenges of today and tomorrow, they need the world’s support,” Mr. Sharp said at the opening of Adapting Modern Peacekeeping Strategies to Contemporary Threats, a seminar organized by the Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in collaboration with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS).

The 20 January event looked at how to tackle the complex challenges faced by blue helmets worldwide and how to improve the effectiveness and sustainability of peacekeeping operations.

Susan Ferguson, UN Women’s Country Representative in India, also addressed the seminar, discussing gender-inclusive peacekeeping and the increasing role of women in peacekeeping operations.

The keynote addresses were delivered by Tanmay Lal, Secretary (West) of the Ministry of External Affairs, and Lieutenant General Rakesh Kapoor, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Communication).

Both leaders highlighted the evolving role of peacekeepers, emphasizing the increasing need for peacekeepers to engage in humanitarian efforts, community-building, and post-conflict recovery, alongside their traditional roles of maintaining ceasefires and curbing violence.

The discussions are expected to influence future policies and lead to operational improvements. India continues to be one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions.

Other speakers included Ruchira Kamboj, former Permanent Representative of India to the UN; Ambassador DP Srivastava, former Ambassador to Iran; Major Radhika Sen, UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year; and several former force commanders, such as Lieutenant Generals S. Mohan (UNMISS), Iqbal Singh Singha (UNDOF) and J.S. Lidder (UNMIS).