UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS (C-34)

Peacekeeping index • UN webpage of the C-34 •  Background Information  • Documentation  

Background InFORMATION

The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations was established in 1965 by General Assembly resolution 2006 (XIX) to conduct a comprehensive review of all issues relating to peacekeeping. Since then, it meets on an annual basis to produce a "Comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations in all their aspects.” It reports, as required, to the General Assembly, through the Special Political and Decolonization (Fourth) Committee, on its work. The "Comprehensive review" of the Special Committee is followed each year by a report from the Secretary-General on "Implementation of the recommendations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations."

As part of its overall mandate, the Special Committee reports on gender issues in its "Comprehensive review." Similarly, in his follow-up report, the Secertary-General addresses any new developments in the area of gender issues, as they relate to what was highlighted by the Committee. The committment of the Committee to gender issues, and thus its reporting on gender issues, has gradually increased over the years, yet it remains relatively weak.

Over 100 United Nations Member States, mostly past or current contributors of peacekeeping personnel, are members of the Committee. Other Member States also participate in the work of the Committee and its working groups as observers.

The C-34 session consists of:

1. General Debate: Held for two days, during which C-34 members generally send their senior military advisors to address the Committee on the main peacekeeping priority issues of their respective countries.

2. DPKO Briefings: DPKO presents a series of briefings to the C-34, based on requests from the C-34 members.

3. Working Group of the Special Committee: After the General Debate and DPKO briefings are concluded, members convene the Working Group to draft the report of the Special Committee, chaired by Canada.

In recent years, the C-34 has also convened in special sessions to discuss the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeeping personnel.

Documentation

year	Secretary-general's reports to the C-34	reports of the C-34	references to gender in general debate of c34 sessions	NGO analyses and recommendations
2008			General debate at the 2008 session of the C34
2007	Secretary-general's report on implementation of the recommendations of the special committee in 2006 Addendum to the report of the Secretary General	Report of the C34 in its 2007 Substantive session Report of the C34 in its June 2007 resumed session (including revised Memorandum of Understanding aimed at preventing sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers)	General debate at the 2007 session of the C34	Building Accountability for sexual Abuse by UN Peacekeeping personnel-(Disarmament Times Article, Spring 2007 issue)
2006	Secretary-general's report on implementation of the recommendations of the special committee in 2005 Addendum to the report of the Secretary General	Report of the C34 in its 2006 substantive session Report of the C34 in its 2006 resumed session (sexual exploitation and abuse)	General debate at the 2006 session of the C34	Peacewomen Project and NGO Working Group on women peace and security recommendations to the 2006 C34 session
2005	Secretary-general's report on implementation of the recommendations of the special committee in 2004	Report of the C34 in its 2005 substantive session Report of the C34 in its 2005 resumed session (sexual exploitation and abuse)	General debate at the 2005 session of the C34	NGO working group on women peace and security recommendations to the 2005 C34 session
2004	Secretary-general's report on implementation of the recommendations of the special committee	Report of the Special committee in its 2004 session	General debate at the 2004 session of the C34: Day 1 Day 2	NGO working group on women peace and security recommendations to the 2004 special committee session

BACK TO TOP