Words of greeting by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations, H. E. Ambassador Dr. Martin Ney

(© Preston Merchant)

Mr. Under-Secretary-General, Alain Le Roy

Mr. Bruce Jones,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to welcome you in the German House today!

I feel especially honoured to host the launch of the latest edition of the Annual Review of Peace Operations published by Bruce Jones and his colleagues from the Center on International Cooperation.

With the support of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union Peace and Security Department you have published the fourth edition of this extremely valuable compendium on peace operations. Anyone dealing with peacekeeping definitively needs a copy of this publication on his or her desk!

Providing a comprehensive collection of up-to-date statistical and analytical material on more than 50 UN and non-UN peace operations, particularly those of the African Union, the EU and NATO, this publication is unique, an excellent reference tool and a practical guide for policy-makers, journalists, academics and peacekeepers in the field.

There is no doubt that peacekeeping will remain a challenge for the international community. Ever new turbulences in different regions of the world create a rising demand for peacekeepers. And, peace operations become more complex and multidimensional.

Putting an end to violence in conflict countries is not enough. States and societies emerging from conflicts need security, they need functioning institutions and they need effective economic reconstruction. Peacekeeping has become more political and more civilian. This broader approach of peacekeeping poses new challenges to the United Nations and other peacekeeping organizations.

The transition to peacebuilding efforts requires our special attention. As the largest peacekeeping provider the United Nations play a crucial role in building and securing peace and stability worldwide. They have also gained valuable experience over the decades in post-conflict peacebuilding. Further efforts by all stakeholders are needed to strategize our efforts in this field.

The publication gives an excellent overview about the challenges we face in the field of peacekeeping, and there are many in the current missions. We expect the Annual Review of Peace Operations to be an substantial reference in the ongoing reflections and discussions on the need for reforms and improvements on all levels.

The comprehensive “New Horizon Project” launched by DPKO and DFS in January 2009 to identify the key challenges of Peacekeeping and the way forward for the UN shall create an important platform for the reform discussions. We look forward to the intense consultations with all stakeholders on the recommendations worked out by the secretariat.

Much depends on multilateral cooperation, resources to be provided by Member States and determination to successfully run peace operations. Your publication also sends a strong message to policy-makers in our capitals and underlines the need to enhance support for UN peacekeeping.

At this point let me give my special thanks to Bruce Jones and his team for the continuous research efforts and clever and attractive presentation of peacekeeping issues in the Annual Review. Germany, together with other donor countries, financially supported the valuable work of the Center on International Cooperation in the past and will do so in the future.

Thank you!