UN chief says organization needs clear mandates, right strategies to support peace

The new United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has called for clear mandates and right strategies within the organization to support peacekeeping operations.

"UN political strategies, management systems and administration are not set up to support peace operations effectively. We must plan for diversity across time and geography, creating flexibility without additional costs," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said when addressing the Security Council thematic debate "Peacekeeping Operations Review" Thursday.

He said the United Nations needs a comprehensive strategy that "supports the diverse range of our missions and takes account of the entire peace continuum, from prevention, conflict resolution and peacekeeping to peacebuilding and long-term development."

He proposed nine areas for reform, including improving peace and security architecture and increasing efficiency and accountability.

"Too many of the rules and regulations of the UN Secretariat seem designed to hinder rather than facilitate our work," he said, adding that "I am committed to changing this, and I hope member states will support me."

Guterres also stressed the importance of making women play "a far more active role in peace operations as troops, police and civilian staff."

"This is not only because gender parity is essential for its own sake, but also because the involvement of women is proven to increase the chances of sustained peace and to reduce incidences of sexual abuse and exploitation," he said.

The UN chief said the organization has already made some reforms, including decentralizing key functions and strengthening performance management and accountability.

"These reforms have reduced per capita cost of uniformed peacekeepers by 18 percent since 2008, and have decreased the number of civilian staff significantly," he said. Endi