Despite Limited Funding, Special Political Missions Play Crucial Role, Shoulder Increasingly Complex Mandates, Officials Tell Fourth Committee
Officials and delegates highlighted increasingly complex mandates shouldered by United Nations special political missions, even amid continued budgetary constraints, as the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) heard introductory statements and questions on that topic today.
Rosemary DiCarlo, Under‑Secretary‑General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, presented the Secretary‑General’s latest report on special political missions, noting that the convergence of the multiple and overlapping crises facing today’s world are affecting the operational environment in which special political missions are deployed. Yet, despite the deteriorating global environment, those missions continued to play a critical role in supporting Member States to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts.
Atul Khare, Under‑Secretary‑General for Operational Support, echoed those points, noting that the COVID‑19 pandemic also had a significant impact on the work of special political missions. Outlining some of his Department’s support to those missions, he said the Medevac Task Force in response to COVID‑19 has evacuating 136 personnel from special political missions since May 2020. Meanwhile, the COVID‑19 Vaccination Programme has helped deliver procured and donated vaccine doses to mission staff and field offices around the globe.
In the ensuing interactive dialogue, some delegates raised questions about how the United Nations special political missions can continue to deliver on their mandated tasks with the static levels of funding provided to them.
Morocco’s representative observed that as missions continue to multiply and expand, they require adequate and predictable financing from the United Nations regular budget. Echoing that point, China’s representative asked how missions can maintain focus on their priorities with such limited resources.
Mr. Khare responded by highlighting the use of innovative mechanisms to do “less with more”. However, he agreed that adequate and predictable funding is needed. He also cited the importance of smooth transitions and handovers between various iterations of the United Nations presence in a country, noting that the operational support provided throughout transitions can form a bedrock of continuity in that critical time.
Both Under‑Secretaries‑General expressed optimism about an upcoming high-level meeting on peacebuilding, scheduled to be held during the General Assembly’s current session, which will focus on bolstering funding for peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
Also speaking today were representatives of Mexico, Tunisia, Sudan and Finland.
The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 3 p.m. on Friday, 15 October, to hear introductory statements and questions on several agenda items.
Comprehensive Review of Special Political Missions
ROSEMARY DICARLO, Under‑Secretary‑General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, introduced the Secretary‑General’s ninth report on “Overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions” (document A/76/198). She observed that the world is facing multiple, overlapping crises and said the convergence of those threats has implications for international peace and security. They are also affecting the operational environment in which the United Nations special political missions are deployed, creating new demands for them to adapt and better respond to a changing landscape.
Yet, despite a deteriorating global environment, special political missions continued to play a critical role in supporting Member States to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, she said. In Libya, for example, the parties agreed to a national ceasefire in October 2020 as a result of the tireless mediation efforts undertaken by United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) — a significant milestone at the time. Similarly, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) continues to see high demand for preventive diplomacy in the region.
Turning to the women, peace, and security agenda, she noted that the inclusion of women broadens the ownership of peace and political processes. It also helps remedy structural inequalities and addresses the root causes of conflict, making peace agreements and transitions more durable. She went on to highlight efforts to promote the agenda through activities of several special political missions, including in Lebanon and Central Asia. As for the promotion of regional approaches to peace and security, she noted that special political missions have been at the forefront of designing and implementing regional, multidisciplinary responses to a range of peace and security issues and of strengthening United Nations partnerships with regional and subregional organizations.
She went on to emphasize the importance of a prevention-based approach to peacebuilding, highlighting her department’s efforts to support nationally owned peacebuilding priorities. Turning to the challenges faced by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), she stressed that Afghans are facing their most perilous hour. Recalling that UNAMA’s mandate was extended for six months, until 17 March 2022, she said her department will be evaluating the new situation carefully and consulting with relevant stakeholders in the coming months.
ATUL KHARE, Under‑Secretary‑General for Operational Support, noting the COVID‑19 pandemic’s significant impact on the work of special political missions, highlighted two United Nations system‑wide initiatives which provided genuine results in supporting missions’ capacity to “stay and deliver”. Those were the Medevac Task Force in Response to COVID‑19 and the COVID‑19 Vaccination Programme. As of early October 2021, more than 35 per cent of the 317,200 procured and donated vaccine doses had been delivered to special political missions and field offices to vaccinate United Nations staff and other eligible individuals, he reported, noting that 136 personnel have been medevacked from special political missions and field offices since May 2020.
Detailing further efforts on outbreak prevention and control, he said his Department supported 548 special political mission meetings through video conferences, as well as by providing additional bandwidth. He also cited the outcomes of the Secretary‑General’s management reforms, emphasizing that decentralized delegation of authority has allowed special political missions a timelier implementation of decisions aligned with their mandates. Moreover, a dedicated capacity exists within the Department to support transition processes, including in critical activities such as operational planning, staffing and logistical support.
Detailing further multidimensional support responses, he reported that his Department assisted in the relocation and evacuation of UNAMA and United Nations country team personnel from Afghanistan, contributed to the establishment of the Libyan Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism and of the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). Moreover, the Department completed the closure of two United Nations missions — the Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea‑Bissau (UNIOGBIS) and the Office of the Special Envoy for Burundi (OSESG-B) — while safeguarding the legacy of those missions and strengthening the ongoing United Nations presence on the ground. Turning to environmental management, he described strategic gains made in phase one of the Environment Strategy for Peace Operations, pointing to the use of renewable energy and the physical footprint of missions as opportunities for phase two.
The floor was then opened an interactive question‑and‑answer session.
The representative of Morocco announced that his country will contribute $150,000 in 2021 to the extrabudgetary fund for special political missions. As those missions continue to multiply and become more complex, they require adequate and predictable financing from the regular budget, he observed. In that context, he asked Ms. DiCarlo and Mr. Khare what their expectations are for the upcoming General Assembly high‑level meeting on peacebuilding and asked how Member States can support their departments in ensuring the necessary funding.
The representative of Mexico noted that special political missions should represent all the membership of the United Nations and should address challenges related to climate change. Referencing relevant Security Council resolutions, he asked what was being done to ensure successful transitions and handovers.
The representative of Tunisia, referring to matters in Libya, encouraged UNSMIL to improve its relationship with neighbouring countries. He went on to ask how the United Nations intends to implement the recommendations contained in relevant reports, and what challenges are foreseen. He also asked about the next phase of deployment plans for observers tasked with monitoring the upcoming election in that country.
The representative of Sudan asked whether there are plans to expand the budget of UNITAMS. Referring to the Secretary‑General’s report on special political missions, he noted that his Government has concerns about recommendations related to the review of sanctions measures on Darfur, which were submitted to the Security Council. He further stressed that reasons to sustain those punitive measures no longer exist in Darfur and asked whether there are any plans to lift them.
The representative of Finland noted that, together with Mexico, his country will facilitate a discussion of the first draft of the Fourth Committee’s resolution on the comprehensive review of special political missions, later this month. Commending the role of special political missions in promoting and protecting human rights, he noted a lack of progress in improving the representation of women in field‑based special political missions and asked what measures can be taken in that regard. He also asked how the implementation of the Secretary‑General’s report “Our Common Agenda” can support and reinforce special political missions.
Ms. DiCarlo, responding to the question from Morocco’s delegate, said she looks forward to a productive discussion about sustainable financing for peacebuilding and conflict prevention during the General Assembly’s upcoming high‑level meeting. Noting that the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund remains underfunded, she stressed the importance of funding for the activities of special political missions, which work alongside country teams. That will allow for the linking of short‑term political work with the larger development agenda.
Responding to a question posed by the representative of Mexico, she said a mission can only leave a country when a national Government and its people are provided with the means to move forward. In that vein, she pointed to the Secretary‑General’s request to ensure that each newly mandated special political mission has a transition plan in place from the time of its establishment.
In response to the comments from the representative of Tunisia, including on cooperation with neighbours, she pointed out that the review of UNSMIL’s mandate called for increased staffing — a recommendation which will be implemented. The first team of election monitors will be deployed in a matter of days to assess the situation on the ground and work with the Libyans on moving forward towards a larger monitoring mission. “Obviously, we will need adjustments to the budgetary framework in order to implement this review,” she added.
To the question raised by Sudan’s delegate, she responded that UNITAMS will be playing a larger role in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. Relevant adjustments will be made in both the Mission’s staffing and budget to support that broader function. Underlining that UNITAMS is “a truly integrated Mission”, she noted that the country team in Sudan will support various elements of its mandate. On the question of sanctions, she said the Security Council will need to decide on whether they should be lifted.
Responding to the representative of Finland’s remark about the lack of progress in improving women’s representation in field missions, she noted that 50 per cent of leadership posts in missions are filled by women. However, “lower down, there is no gender parity”. In that context, she highlighted several special measures including those encouraging women to apply for jobs with special political missions. Underlining the importance of conflict prevention as the future of the United Nations work in peace and security, she stressed that “prevention can save many dollars” as well as lives. Much more attention should also be paid to the role that youth play in conflict prevention and resolution, she said, noting that young people should be “front and centre” of peace processes.
The Under‑Secretaries‑General then responded to those questions and comments.
Mr. Khare, replying to Mexico’s representative, said his Department is working actively with the interagency group, as its operational support — which will continue to be provided throughout the transitions between missions — can form a bedrock of continuity during that time. Responding to the representative of Tunisia, he said the challenges for staff in Libya include finding secure accommodations, appropriate medical attention and internal communications. On the question of gender parity in missions, he said his Department is reviewing its rosters to ensure they contain a sufficient number of women.
The representative of China observed that special political missions’ budgets remain limited, even as their mandates continue to expand. In that context, she wondered how missions can maintain focus on their priorities. In addition, she asked for more information about the Department’s progress in implementing the Secretary‑General’s appeal for a global ceasefire.
Responding to questions related to special political missions’ expanding mandates despite limited resources, Mr. Khare said the first approach is to use innovative mechanisms to do as much as possible. Emphasizing the importance of doing more with less, he nevertheless warned that “a point comes when you can only do less with less”. While his Department will continue to do its best to meet its goals within existing resources, adequate and predictable funding is needed.
Ms. DiCarlo also spoke on the matter of activities being carried out within limited resources, reporting that special political missions work closely with United Nations country teams. For example, in Sudan, UNITAMS relies heavily on the country team, as the former is a time‑bound mission with plans to transfer all its tasks to the latter upon departure. On the Secretary‑General’s ceasefire initiative, she reported that his envoys immediately went to work around the globe to capitalize on the call.