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A three-page concept note on peacekeeping circulated at the UNSC by India`s Permanent Representative to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri states that there is a severe mismatch between the resources and mandate of peacekeeping operations.
"The central challenge that peacekeeping missions now face is the resource gap... This is an unsatisfactory situation and a serious discussion is required on the issue of resources. The inability of the Council to address this will lead to a performance deficit on the part of UN peacekeeping missions which in turn could erode the legitimacy of this Council," sai the note titled `UN Peacekeeping Operations: Taking Stock and Preparing for the Future`.
The current annual outlay for peacekeeping is under eight billion dollars and in some cases there is one peacekeeper for several hundred square kilometres.
Under the presidency of India, the Security Council is scheduled to hold an open debate on UN peacekeeping operations on August 26.
Puri said the concept note has been prepared in order to help steer discussions on the subject.
Noting that peacekeepers often have to make "tough moral choices" and take "life-and-death decisions in situations of legal ambiguity," India said: "effective peacekeeping requires that the men and women operate in an environment of legal certitude." PTI YAS
The note said the issue of consent, which has implications on the concept of state sovereignty, needs particular attention. It said over the years, peacekeeping operations have moved into "newer territory".
"The extent to which peacekeeping missions can be used as instruments of innovation in the application of international law is an area where a greater degree of common understanding is required amongst the member countries."
"The relationship of these innovations with the guiding principles of peacekeeping, viz., consent of the parties, non-use of force except in self-defence or defence of the mandate, and impartiality, will require clarification for UN peacekeeping to retain its credibility and universal acceptability," the note said.
The note said that policing and rule of law capabilities are required to consolidate the peacekeeping capabilities of the United Nations.
Member states need to deliberate on the types of capacities required, mix of capacities and their sourcing.
"This exercise needs to be undertaken in accordance with the needs of national authorities and relevance to conditions of the host countries. A capability-driven approach to peacekeeping that is demand-driven and responsive to national priorities needs to be fostered," the note said.
