Security Council Open Debate on Peacekeeping Operations
17 May 2004, UN Headquarters, New York

Pakistan, as President of the Security Council for the month of May, organized and led a day-long debate on peacekeeping operations, intended to highlight forthcoming challenges, evaluate progress made and analyze future trends. With Pakistan’s Foreign Minister leading the debate, the Council heard from the Secretary-General, 42 Member States, and Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Jean-Marie Guehenno. A presidential statement was released at the conclusion of the meeting.

The statements by Member States can be characterized by an almost complete lack of gender perspective, (out of 42 Member States, approximately 2 made substantial references to gender issues, and approximately 3 made passing references to gender issues).

Substantial References

Chile: "The issue of the role of women in peacekeeping is also an important one. Some progress has been made since the Council adopted resolution 1325, on women, peace and security. However, various reports show that much still remains to be done to integrate women into peacekeeping operations and to combat criminal violence against them in conflict areas.

In this connection, my delegation attaches the greatest importance to the display of exemplary conduct by members of peacekeeping missions. We therefore welcome the establishment of a uniform code of conduct applicable to all peacekeeping missions and to all the personnel serving in them." From: http://www.un.int/chile/Statements/speech20040517.htm

Bangladesh: coming soon


Presidential Statement

A presidential statement was released at the conclusion of the meeting. Despite the lack of gender perspective in the statements made by Member States, the Presidential Statement issued by Pakistan highlighted a few gender issues, though, the language is noticeably weaker and more vague than in other sections of the statement. The references are featured below:

“The Security Council calls upon Member States to contribute sufficient levels of trained troops, police and civilian personnel, including those with specialized capabilities and skills, bearing in mind the need for an increased percentage of female personnel at all decision-making levels…

…“The Security Council further recognizes the importance of a gender perspective, including gender training for peacekeepers, in Peacekeeping Operations, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and the importance of protection of children in armed conflict in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1379 (2001).

For the UN press release (includes a summary of all Member States' statements made), CLICK HERE.