Greatest Threat to UN Peacekeeping is Divisions Between Nations, Says UN Peace Operations Chief
United Nations, February 26, 2025 (12:00 GMT) – Deepening divisions and geopolitical tensions between member states pose the greatest threat to the effectiveness and future of UN peacekeeping operations, warned the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Ms. Anya Sharma, today. Speaking at a press briefing at UN Headquarters, Ms. Sharma articulated a growing concern within the organization that escalating international disagreements are undermining the ability of peacekeeping missions to achieve their mandates and maintain global peace and security.
“UN Peacekeeping is, at its core, a collective endeavor, reliant on the shared commitment and cooperation of member states,” Ms. Sharma stated. “However, we are witnessing a worrying trend of increasing polarization and divergence of interests that directly impacts our ability to deploy, support, and ultimately succeed in these crucial operations. This is not just about financial contributions; it’s about consensus on mandates, political backing, and a united front against those who seek to undermine peace.”
Ms. Sharma outlined several key areas where these divisions are manifesting and hindering peacekeeping effectiveness:
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Mandate Formation: The Security Council, responsible for authorizing peacekeeping missions, is increasingly grappling with disagreements over mandate content, scope, and duration. Disagreements often arise from conflicting national interests, ideological differences, and varying assessments of the root causes of conflict. This can lead to watered-down mandates that lack the necessary authority and resources to address the challenges on the ground. Recent examples include protracted debates over the mandate renewals in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic, where crucial provisions related to civilian protection and counter-terrorism were weakened due to persistent disagreements.
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Resource Mobilization: Funding for peacekeeping operations relies heavily on voluntary contributions from member states. However, rising geopolitical competition is leading to some nations redirecting resources to address domestic priorities or bolster their own security interests. This is resulting in funding shortfalls, impacting the ability of missions to provide adequate protection to civilians, support peacebuilding efforts, and implement crucial programs related to governance and development. Specifically, Ms. Sharma noted a concerning decline in contributions towards training and equipping peacekeepers with the necessary skills and technology to operate in increasingly complex and dangerous environments.
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Political Support and Legitimacy: The success of peacekeeping operations depends on the political support and legitimacy of the host government and the broader international community. However, competing geopolitical interests can undermine this support, as external actors may actively support rival factions within the host country or engage in actions that destabilize the region. This erosion of political backing can create a hostile environment for peacekeepers, hindering their ability to mediate conflicts, build trust, and facilitate sustainable peace agreements. Ms. Sharma cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and its impact on regional stability as a major contributing factor to increased geopolitical fragmentation and its subsequent effect on peacekeeping efforts worldwide.
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Troop Contributing Countries: The willingness of member states to contribute troops and police personnel to peacekeeping operations is crucial. However, concerns over safety, mandate effectiveness, and potential political repercussions are deterring some nations from deploying their personnel to high-risk environments. This is leading to shortages of skilled peacekeepers, particularly in specialized areas such as engineering, medical support, and intelligence. Ms. Sharma emphasized the need for a more equitable distribution of the burden, with more developed nations playing a greater role in providing high-quality troops and resources.
The Under-Secretary-General acknowledged the complexities of navigating a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape but stressed the urgency of finding solutions to overcome these divisions. She called for renewed commitment to multilateralism and a stronger emphasis on diplomacy and conflict prevention.
“We need to find common ground and reaffirm our commitment to the principles of the UN Charter,” Ms. Sharma urged. “This requires greater transparency, dialogue, and a willingness to compromise. We must also strengthen our partnerships with regional organizations and civil society to leverage their expertise and resources in support of peacekeeping efforts.”
Ms. Sharma concluded by highlighting several initiatives underway to address these challenges, including:
- Strengthening Partnerships: Working more closely with regional organizations, such as the African Union and the European Union, to leverage their expertise and resources in conflict prevention and resolution.
- Improving Mandate Clarity: Engaging in more robust consultations with member states and other stakeholders to ensure that peacekeeping mandates are realistic, achievable, and aligned with the needs of the host country.
- Diversifying Funding Sources: Exploring innovative financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships and earmarked contributions, to reduce reliance on traditional donor countries.
- Enhancing Peacekeeper Training: Investing in advanced training programs to equip peacekeepers with the skills and knowledge they need to operate in complex and dangerous environments, including training on human rights, gender equality, and conflict resolution.
- Promoting Inclusive Political Processes: Working with host governments and other stakeholders to promote inclusive political processes that address the root causes of conflict and ensure the participation of all segments of society.
The future of UN Peacekeeping hangs in the balance. If divisions between nations continue to deepen, the organization’s ability to maintain peace and security around the world will be severely compromised. Ms. Sharma’s stark warning serves as a call to action for member states to overcome their differences and reaffirm their commitment to the principles of multilateralism and collective security. The coming year will be crucial in determining whether the UN can rise to the challenge and ensure the continued effectiveness of its peacekeeping operations.
Greatest threat to UN Peacekeeping is divisions between nations, says UN Peace Operations Chief
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