11.07.11 Conference Proceedings: Report of the Conference on Peacekeeping Vision 2015 Capabilities for Future Mandates

The conference on „Peacekeeping Vision 2015 – Capabilities for Future Mandates. explored the capabilities required to enable future peacekeeping missions to respond effectively to diverse and evolving operating environments and increasingly complex mandates. It considered the specific challenges posed by the operationalization of protection of civilians (PoC) mandates, especially from the perspective of Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs), Police Contributing Countries (PCCs) and the United Nations Security Council Members, and examined options to harness experiences with ongoing policy development, planning, and training in this area to inform efforts to strengthen
peacekeeping in other critical mandated areas. The conference combined a seminar and a technical workshop that analysed draft capabilities and standards for infantry battalions in UN peacekeeping operations as a means to support peacekeeping contributors and missions in the effective preparation for and execution of mandated tasks.

The conference was organized by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), and the United Service Institution of India (USI), and took place in New Delhi, India, from 6 to 8 April 2011. The conference was supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and hosted by USI. More than 200 delegates attended, including leading UN TCCs and PCCs, UN Security Council Members, peacekeeping training institutes, research institutes, NATO, various parts of the UN Secretariat, current and former Special Representatives and Force Commanders, as well as a number of Indian government officials and senior Army, Air Force, and Navy officers.

The initiative sought to exchange perspectives on the implications of increasingly diverse and complex mandated tasks on the capability requirements of peacekeeping missions, and to solidify a common future vision for peacekeeping among participants. The conference took place against the background of an increasingly resource-scarce environment, which can be expected to remain the reality in the years ahead. Because of this, peacekeeping systems will require resilience to cope with some degree of capability deficit and common strategies to address significant capability gaps that threaten missions. ability to implement mandated tasks.

Efforts to bolster the capabilities, effectiveness and quality of performance of future peacekeeping missions, as advocated by the New Ingrid Marie Breidlid, Cedric de Coning, 10 Rebecca Jovin & PK Singh Horizon and Global Field Support Strategy, must thus remain a priority for the UN in the years ahead. Some of the issues discussed in this context during the seminar included:

• The need for a coherent strategic framework, backed up by sustained political support, in particular in light of increasingly complex and challenging mandates.
• More rigorous analysis and (independent) assessment in shaping and refining strategy, and greater emphasis on innovation and creative thinking in strategy development.
• Integrated planning with a focus on realistic mandates and identifying the capabilities needed for effective implementation to match resources with mandates and requirements. In this context, speakers highlighted both the importance of including experienced TCCs in the planning and mandating process and the imperative of maintaining a broad peacekeeping contributor base, including Western countries.
• An impact- and performance-driven planning process, rather than one driven by a focus on size and numbers; drawing on sufficiently qualified, responsive, and flexible peacekeeping capabilities and agile support systems. Participants highlighted the need for clear articulation of expectations, including through the development of standards and identification of peacekeepers with skill-sets appropriate to diverse and complex mandated tasks.
• Proactive and comprehensive outreach and communication with host populations, Member States, and the general public to clarify peacekeeping roles and highlight peacekeeping successes.
• Stronger partnerships and burden-sharing arrangements where tasks are more appropriately and effectively addressed by capabilities not found within a UN peacekeeping mission.
• Enhanced cooperation and coordination among various mission components, as well as harmonization of efforts across the UN family.

There was broad agreement and appreciation among participants that the tools under development to support more effective delivery of protection mandates are promising and may further serve as a useful model for improving performance in other mandated areas. Presentations by speakers from the field highlighted the range of protection activities being undertaken in different missions. They underscored the importance of an overarching concept, as well as the need for mission-specific strategic frameworks that take into account the unique context of each mission. Participants appreciated the PoC policy and training development work of the UN Secretariat, and called for the Peacekeeping Vision 2015 Capabilities for Future Mandates 11 continued engagement of TCCs and PCCs in the process, particularly with respect to the skills and capabilities required to implement protection mandates effectively.

Further work on the capability matrix for PoC was encouraged, with participants overwhelmingly emphasizing human rather than material capabilities as the cornerstone for successful protection. Participants also noted the need for the finalization and distribution of the PoC training material, as well as for better harmonization between the PoC
training material and the scenario-based training material developed in response to conflict-related sexual violence. Several speakers also focussed on the importance of grooming senior managers and officers, as well as the need for innovative leadership as a complement to capability standards and training. Discussions during the technical workshop reflected recognition of the need for commonly agreed baseline standards as a frame of reference to help guide peacekeepers in preparing for and executing mandated tasks. Participants were generally supportive of the DPKO's ongoing efforts to develop standards for a generic UN Infantry Battalion to support interoperability and overall effectiveness of infantry units in peacekeeping. Although participants predominantly were representing large and experienced TCCs, there was recognition of the need to develop appropriate tools for the full range of contributors to UN peacekeeping, including new and emerging TCCs. Several participants indicated a desire to remain engaged in the project, including through further analysis of draft standards, training concepts and related materials together with other experts.