Introduction:
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Ghana, the United Kingdom and Norway, the International Peace Institute (IPI), and Wilton Park, will convene a half-day conference on the theme “Peacekeeping in Africa: Fostering Partnership and Synergies”. The event is scheduled to take place from 10am to 1pm in the ECOSOC Chamber, United Nations Headquarters, New York on Tuesday 12th November 2019.
The main purpose of the dialogue is to support the shared commitment to address the challenges facing peacekeeping, focussing on the African Continent, and to build political momentum between partners. The meeting will provide an opportunity to present policy recommendations in support of current peacekeeping challenges including: reinforcing UN-Africa peace and security partnerships, ensuring the long-term impact of peacekeeping missions and increasing cooperation with African regional and sub-regional security frameworks. The event will bring together key stakeholders, including Member States, the African Union, African Regional Economic Communities (RECs), think tanks and other international partners. The meeting will be open to the participation of all Member States.
The conference will be followed by a working lunch on ‘Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda’, from 1.15pm to 2.45pm. Venue (TBC)
Background and Rationale: Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Declaration of Shared Commitments on UN Peacekeeping Operations
UN Peacekeeping remains one of the most essential tools for creating lasting peace and responding to international crises. However, many peacekeeping missions operate in complex and volatile environments. In many contexts, violent groups pose a major threat to the successful, safe and secure implementation of mandates. At the same time, Missions need to maximise their performance and deliver multidimensional peacekeeping operations to support lasting peace, including through collaboration and partnerships between the UN and international, regional and sub-regional organisations. Member States, too, need to work with partners to deliver holistic solutions that strengthen security and promote national reconciliation so that host countries can uphold the rule of law, protect human rights and deliver sustainable development for their populations. Ongoing conflict prevention efforts will also help to reduce the burden on peacekeeping missions, and reduce the need for their presence in the longer-term.
To respond to these challenges, in March 2018 the Secretary-General launched the Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) Initiative, renewing the political commitment: “First, to refocus peacekeeping with realistic expectations; second, to make peacekeeping missions stronger and safer; and, third, to mobilize greater support for political solutions and for well-structured, well-equipped, well-trained forces.”
Peacekeeping in Africa: Fostering Partnership and Synergies
This event will bring together stakeholders from within and outside the UN system to discuss ways to overcome these challenges, with a particular focus on partnerships. Discussion will focus on the commitments under A4P, such as advancing lasting political solutions, strengthening the impact of peacekeeping on sustaining peace, improving peacekeeping partnerships, strengthening performance and accountability and implementing the women, peace and security agenda. These conversations will draw on KAIPTC’s expertise in supporting longer term approaches to security and stability.
