UN Security Council High-Level Open Debate: Advancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations - Responding to New Realities
CANZ Statement by H.E Rebecca Bryant, Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of Australia to the United Nations
24 March 2025
Thank you to Denmark, and Foreign Minister Rasmussen, for your leadership in convening this open debate.
I speak on behalf of Canada, New Zealand, and my own country Australia.
Peacekeeping represents the best of the multilateral system.
The contribution of peace operations to conflict prevention, the protection of civilians and enduring political solutions is clear. We have many historical successes, and the international community continues to depend on UN peacekeeping as a tool for peace and collective security.
But, it is also clear that peacekeeping needs to adapt to the complex realities of today’s world.
With the rise of regional conflicts, erosion of host-state consent and more constrained resources we must expand and sharpen our toolkit.
First, we need to improve trust and confidence in UN peacekeeping.
As part of the upcoming Secretary General’s Review, we want to see bold new ideas and existing reforms fully implemented. Drawing on expertise from member states and civil society will be key to achieving this.
We also hope recommendations from the Independent Study on the Future of Peacekeeping prompt a deeper discussion on how to streamline mandates.
Secondly, implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda has never been more urgent.
CANZ remains committed to women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in all aspects of peacekeeping. The evidence unequivocally shows that women’s participation strengthens peace operations and the achievement of sustainable peace.
We are focused on removing barriers to women’s participation – including through the Elsie Initiative Fund. And we urge the UN to integrate lessons learned on safe and inclusive community dialogue, to ensure more women are at the peace table.
Thirdly, CANZ supports more innovative partnership models in peace operations. We have seen first-hand the benefits of regional approaches to peace and security. We support stronger collaboration between the UN and regional organisations, including through Security Council Resolution 2719.
Finally, CANZ encourages a sharper focus and prioritisation of reform efforts. This includes redoubling efforts to make the primacy of politics the hallmark of peace operations.
There is a compelling need to boost the UN’s readiness in critical capabilities. People are the UN’s most important capability, and to fully leverage this talent we must prioritise human resource reform.
The integration of technology to drive innovation must also remain a priority. Without enhanced data and early warning systems, peacekeepers and the civilians they are mandated to protect, face growing threats including from weaponised drones and the spread of mis- and disinformation.
2025 offers a unique opportunity to positively shape the future of the peacebuilding and peacekeeping architecture.
CANZ will work to strengthen the link between conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding to safeguard peace gains. We will advocate for concrete solutions which make peacekeeping and special political missions fit for our future.
In closing, CANZ pays tribute to all peacekeepers – military, police and civilian – serving under the UN flag in the pursuit of peace.