Mr. President,

I would like to thank the Republic of Korea for dedicating this Open Debate to the ongoing Peace Operations Review. We are also grateful to the Council trio – the Republic of Korea, Denmark and Pakistan – for keeping UN peacekeeping reform high on the Council’s agenda.

UN peace operations have been a success story, and it is evident that they will remain an essential tool of the UN’s peace and security architecture.

Our challenge now lies in determining how to effectively adapt Peace Operations to the needs on the ground.

Mr. President,

I would like to emphasize three core points today.

First, UN peace operations need clear, achievable, and tailored mandates, supported through adequate resources, equipment, training and capacity building. Peace operations, in all their variations, will continue to operate in environments in which civilians face threat or harm, regardless of specific protection mandates. It is therefore imperative to integrate considerations on protection nto the future planning of UN peace operations. The increasing reliance on political missions and discussions on lighter footprints should not lead to an erosion of critical capacities on the ground.

Second, we must increase investments in transition capacities and planning. The ability to build sustainable peace after a mission's completion requires robust, long-term transition strategies that address stability, governance, and development. Transition strategies must be in place from the very set-up of a mission, andmust span from clear vision and political support in the Security Council to the employment of the know-how of integrated offices, specialized agencies and country teams. Close cooperation on strengthening host state capacities in particular is the key to success.

Third, political strategies, such as preventive diplomacy, mediation and peacebuilding, must be adequately resourced and prioritized. These tools remain underutilized. We must harness their full potential to address the root causes of conflict, and prevent its recurrence. In this regard, peace operations’ integrated planning, strategic foresight and flexibility in the use of resources must be strengthened.

Mr. President,

The commitments made at the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin were a strong demonstration of the collective dedication of Member States to maintaining and strengthening UN peacekeeping. It is now our shared responsibility to build on this, and move the discussion on the future of UN peace operations forward and to achieve concrete results.

Thank you.