Special Committee on

Peacekeeping Operations

200^th Meeting (AM)

SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PEACEKEEPING CONCLUDES 2007 SESSION, FINALIZES DRAFT

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN United Nations, TROOP CONTRIBUTORS

As it concluded its 2007 session this morning, the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations finalized its work on the revised draft model memorandum of understanding between the United Nations and troop contributing countries, which will be annexed to the Committee’s report of the session and submitted to the General Assembly for adoption.

With nearly 100,000 men and women deployed in United Nations peace operations around the world, the memorandum is part of the Organization’s ongoing efforts to ensure the highest standards of conduct, professionalism and accountability of peacekeeping personnel.  The document acknowledges that peacekeepers, representing the United Nations and present in a country to help it recover from the trauma of a conflict, “must consciously be prepared to accept special constraints” in their public and private lives to do the work and to pursue the Organization’s ideals.

Also according to the draft memorandum, United Nations peacekeeping personnel, accorded certain privileges and immunities arranged through agreements negotiated between the United Nations and host country, solely for the purpose of discharging peacekeeping duties, agree to always conduct themselves in a professional and disciplined manner at all times; respect local laws, customs and practices; treat host country inhabitants with respect, courtesy and consideration; support and aid the infirm, sick and weak; act with impartiality, integrity and tact and report all acts involving sexual exploitation and abuse.  They also, among other things, agree to encourage proper conduct among fellow peacekeeping personnel and to properly account for all money and property assigned them as mission members.

By further provisions of the draft memorandum, peacekeepers agree to never bring discredit upon the United Nations and their nations through improper personal conduct, failure to perform their duties or abuse of their positions.  They also agree to never take any action that might jeopardize the mission; use unnecessary violence or threaten anyone in custody, or commit any act that could result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to members of the local population, especially women and children.  Peacekeepers realize that the consequences of failure to act within the guidelines might, among other things, jeopardize the mission’s achievement and result in administrative, disciplinary or criminal action.

Henri-Paul Normandin of Canada, the Chair of the Committee’s Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts, submitted the revised model memorandum of understanding for the Committee’s endorsement.

The Committee adopted its 2007 draft report by consensus on 23 May.  The report referred, among other things, to the Committee’s general debate on 26 and 27 February of the “Peace Operations 2010” proposal to reform United Nations peacekeeping in five areas -– including personnel, doctrine, partnerships, resources and organization -– in order to better meet the Organization’s growing peacekeeping challenges, as well as the Secretary-General’s proposal to restructure and strengthen management of Headquarters peacekeeping capacities by creating a Department of Field Support and Department of Peace Operations. 

In closing, the Committee’s Chairman, Aminu Bashir Wali of Nigeria, thanked members for their contributions and hard work, noting that by displaying a spirit of compromise, the Committee had been able to achieve much during the session.

The Special Committee was established by the General Assembly in 1965 to conduct a comprehensive review of all issues relating to peacekeeping.  It reports to the General Assembly on its work through the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) and is comprised of 124 Member States, mostly past or current contributors of peacekeeping operations.  Seventeen other Member States, as well as the European Union (European Commission), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), participate as observers.

The next meeting of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations will take place at a date and time to be announced.

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For information media • not an official record