Denmark organized a High-Level Open Debate of the Security Council on “Enhancing Adaptability in UN Peace Operations,” chaired by the country’s Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

The event began with a speech by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who highlighted the crucial role UN peacekeeping missions play in protecting vulnerable communities around the world. He acknowledged the increasingly difficult challenges these operations face, such as prolonged conflicts, cross-border threats—including terrorism and organized crime—as well as the effects of climate change.

The Secretary-General underscored the need for peacekeeping missions to adapt to these new realities, citing examples like the UN’s targeted approach in Haiti and enhanced cooperation with regional organizations such as the African Union.

The discussion provided a platform for Security Council member states to exchange views on strengthening UN peacekeeping operations, directly tied to the commitments made under the “Pact for the Future,” adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2024.

“UN peacekeeping operations remain ‘the most effective, universally accepted, and irreplaceable mechanism’ for maintaining international peace and security,” emphasized Greece’s Permanent Representative during his address.

Mr. Sekkeris highlighted the crucial role peacekeeping missions play in fostering political dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution in regions such as “Cyprus, Lebanon, Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Haiti, and Afghanistan,” describing them as “effective multilateralism in action.”

Greece expressed its “sincere gratitude” to UN peacekeeping missions operating “under the most difficult conditions” and “strongly condemned all attacks and hostile actions” against peace operations.

As a troop-contributing country and EU member state, Greece supports EU-led missions aligned with Security Council mandates, such as “Operation IRINI,” “EUFOR ALTHEA,” “Operation ASPIDES,” and “ATALANTA,” stressing the “increasing importance of the maritime dimension” in peacekeeping operations.

Mr. Sekkeris referred to the adoption of the “Pact for the Future” and emphasized that the upcoming review of peacekeeping missions should focus on three main priorities: Effectiveness, Political Solutions with Sustainable Financing, and Regional Partnerships.

Closing
Greece underscored the need for peace operations to prioritize the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda and child protection, stressing that missions must uphold “the highest standards of child protection and gender mainstreaming.”

Mr. Sekkeris highlighted the importance of accountability, calling for discussions on a “comprehensive international legal framework” regarding crimes committed by or against peacekeeping operations.

In closing, the Greek Permanent Representative reaffirmed Greece’s commitment to promoting “political unity within the Council” on peacekeeping operations.

“Greece is committed to working towards strengthening political unity within the Council on Peacekeeping and sincerely hopes that the upcoming United Nations Ministerial on Peacekeeping in Berlin will generate positive momentum to advance adaptability in UN Peace Operations,” he stated.