Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 6270th meeting, 12 Feb. 2010, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "United Nations peacekeeping operations: transition and exit strategies"] — S/PRST/2010/2 | UN Mandate Registry
Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 6270th Meeting, 12 Feb. 2010, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations: Transition and Exit Strategies"]
At the 6270th meeting of the Security Council, held on 12 February 2010, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “United Nations peacekeeping operations: transition and exit strategies”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:
“The Security Council reaffirms the statement of its President of 5 August 2009 (PRST/2009/24) and its continued commitment to enhance further the overall effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping.
“The Security Council stresses in particular its commitment “regularly to assess in consultation with other stakeholders, the strength, mandate and composition of peacekeeping operations with a view to making the necessary adjustments where appropriate, according to progress achieved or changing circumstances on the ground”. The Council stresses that the overarching objective should be to achieve success through creating the conditions for sustainable peace on the ground, thereby allowing for reconfiguration or withdrawal of the United Nations peacekeeping mission.
“The Security Council underlines that an advanced peace process is an important factor in achieving successful transition from a peacekeeping operation to other configurations of United Nations presence. It also highlights the importance of a host state protecting its population, managing political disputes peaceably and providing for basic services and long-term development.
“The Security Council recognizes the importance of supporting political processes and national institutions, in particular for rule of law, security and peacebuilding assistance at the earliest stage. In this regard, the Council reiterates the urgency of improving UN peacebuilding efforts and achieving a coordinated United Nations approach in country as highlighted in the statement of its President of 22 July 2009 (S/PRST/2009/23) and in the Secretary-General’s report on peacebuilding (S/2009/304).
“The Council underlines the importance of national ownership, constructive dialogue and partnership between national authorities and the international community in helping to address priority peacebuilding needs and the underlying causes of recurring instability.
“Further improvement can be made in Security Council practice, supported by the Secretariat, to ensure successful transitions, by developing clear, credible and achievable mandates, to be matched by appropriate resources. The Security Council:
– undertakes, whenever possible, to include in peacekeeping mandates a desired outcome of the implementation of mandated tasks and a clear prioritization of tasks to achieve it, reflecting the need to create favourable conditions for sustainable peace;
– stresses the importance of an appropriate level of military expertise for the Security Council decisions;
– stresses the need for precise and clear recommendations to be made available by the Secretariat at least a month before mandate renewals, on the content of the mandate and any necessary adjustments, taking into account developments on the ground and the views of the host country, relevant troop and police contributing countries, and other parties as appropriate;
– requests the Secretariat to plan military, police and other peacebuilding tasks in phases with clear objectives and taking into account local conditions that should be attained to allow mission success and transition from a peacekeeping operation, taking also into account the recent lessons learned from transitions to integrated peacebuilding offices;
– recognizes the utility of strategic workplans and will consider extending their use in peacekeeping operations. Progress in achieving priority tasks laid down in Security Council resolutions should be measured, as appropriate, through benchmarks that can be easily monitored by the Council;
– recognizes the importance of ensuring that mandated peacebuilding tasks are implemented as early as possible in a peacekeeping operation in coordination with the United Nations country team and with due respect for security concerns and the priorities of the host government, taking into account pre-existing programmes and policies implemented before the inception of the operation. In this regard, the Council reaffirms the need to fully implement the Integrated Mission Planning Process, and also notes the importance of the Integrated Strategic Frameworks. The Council also notes the importance of the civilian capacities review now being undertaken by the Peacebuilding Support Office;
– undertakes to enhance coordination with the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and looks forward to the 2010 Review of the PBC and the recommendations on how its role can continue to be enhanced;
– welcomes the adoption by the Security Council’s Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations of its programme of work, and commends in particular its decision to address key lessons learned from past and current missions about the successful implementation of transition strategies, with a view to improving Council practice;
– recalls the necessity to take into account the protection of civilians in situations of armed conflict, as and when mandated, throughout the lifecycle of UN peacekeeping and other relevant missions, in line with Security Council resolution 1894 (2009).
“The Security Council commits to regularly monitoring progress and achievement of the different stages of a given peacekeeping operation. The Council stresses the importance to maintain an efficient reporting and information collection system.
“The Security Council reaffirms its belief that United Nations peacekeeping is a unique global partnership that draws together the contributions and commitment of the entire United Nations system. The Council is committed to strengthening this partnership and acknowledges the key role of the General Assembly’s Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations and the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee in that regard. The Security Council recognizes the need for continuous review of the Secretariat’s military planning, police, judicial, rule of law, and institution-building capabilities to ensure their effective utilization and coordination.
“The Security Council recognizes the contribution of regional and sub-regional organizations to transition. The Security Council calls upon all Member States, regional, subregional, and international partners to promote coherence and coordination of their peacebuilding plans and programmes with those of the United Nations peacekeeping operation and the wider United Nations presence on the ground.
“The Security Council undertakes to provide the political support necessary to ensure the effective implementation of peace processes, in order to promote the success of United Nations peacekeeping operations.
“The Council stresses the importance of considering early peacebuilding in its own deliberations and of ensuring coherence between peacemaking, peacekeeping and peacebuilding to achieve effective transition strategies. The Council looks forward to further discussing the implementation of this integrated approach and requests the Secretary-General to intensify his efforts in this regard.
“The Security Council remains committed to improving further the overall effectiveness of United Nations peacekeeping, including through the recognition and enhancement of linkages with wider peacebuilding efforts, and will conduct a further review of progress in this regard in late 2010.”
