NEW YORK, April 28 — The Group of Friends on the Safety and Security of United Nations Peacekeepers was launched here on Tuesday, under the joint initiative of China, Brazil, Indonesia and Rwanda, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Group of Friends, which brings together 49 countries and regional organisations, provides a platform to strengthen information sharing, policy coordination, and capacity building so as to make substantive progress in enhancing the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, according to Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the UN.
“UN peacekeeping operations are a major instrument for maintaining international peace and security, and peacekeepers are valuable assets for international peace. Over the past 70 years, more than 3,000 peacekeepers from over 120 countries have lost their lives.
“Threats of regional hot issues, ethnic conflicts, terrorism, and improvised explosive devices, together with COVID-19, are posing higher security risks to peacekeepers. So far this year, 49 peacekeepers have lost their lives. Keeping peacekeepers safe is a systematic project that depends on the participation of all parties,” Zhang said at the virtual launch ceremony.
Zhang expressed hope that the newly-formed group will carry out in-depth studies on new issues and challenges, raise awareness and promote common understanding on the issues among member states through the Security Council, the General Assembly and other platforms.
“Ensuring the safety and security of peacekeepers requires not only policy guidance, but also practical action. Only by translating the consensus of member states into concrete action on the ground can we achieve real results. The Group of Friends will promote the exchange of experience and case studies among member states to develop best practices and resolve difficult issues in the implementation process,” he said.
More than 150 guests attended the virtual event, including UN Undersecretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Undersecretary-General for Safety and Security Gilles Michaud, Assistant Secretary-General for Support Operations Lisa Buttenheim, ambassadors, military advisers and officials from members of the Group of Friends and other relevant delegations.
— BERNAMA
