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Africa: In Berlin, Broad Backing for UN Peacekeeping As Global Threats Mount - allAfrica.com

Published 9 hours ago3 minute read

More than 130 countries and international partners threw their weight behind UN peacekeeping at a high-level ministerial summit in Berlin on Wednesday, pledging military, tech and political support.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres meanwhile warned that peace operations are under growing strain and must adapt to meet today's rising threats.

The two-day conference on peacekeeping, hosted by the Government of Germany, brought together over 1,000 participants - including defence and foreign ministers - to reaffirm commitment to the UN's flagship tool for maintaining peace and stability.

It concluded on Wednesday with a wide array of pledges, including 88 military and police units, specialized training, and investments in emerging technologies and strategic communications.

"," Mr. Guterres said in his opening remarks.

"Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations. And the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today's realities and tomorrow's challenges."

Germany, which currently contributes troops to UN missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, and Western Sahara, announced .

"Germany continues to be a steadfast supporter of UN peacekeeping," said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

A total of .

This includes pledges which will bolster military and police units, including airlift and rapid deployment capabilities (53 national contributions), specialized training (59), technological enhancements (18), advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (38) and safety and protection (16).

, including support to the trust fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse, and eight nations supporting the UN's efforts to counter mis- and disinformation through strategic communications.

At a press conference following the meeting, Secretary-General Guterres acknowledged that peacekeepers operate in an increasingly complex and dangerous environment, citing a record number of global conflicts, the targeting of peacekeepers by drones and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the rising threat from disinformation campaigns.

" and what the outcomes and solutions should look like," he said, speaking alongside German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Defence Minister Pistorius.

""

The UN chief also stressed the importance of sustained financial backing, highlighting that many missions continue to struggle with cash flow shortages due to delayed payments from Member States.

"It is absolutely essential that all Member States respect their financial obligations, ," he said.

The Berlin meeting feeds into the UN's broader reform efforts, including an ongoing Review of Peace Operations announced in last year's Pact for the Future, aimed at making peacekeeping and peace enforcement more flexible, cost-effective, and aligned with real-world needs.

This year's Ministerial also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the United Nations and the 10-year anniversary of the 2015 New York Summit on Peacekeeping. It follows similar high-level meetings in Accra, Seoul, Vancouver and London.

Peacekeeping remains one of the UN's most visible activities, with over 61,000 uniformed personnel from 119 countries currently deployed across 11 missions, supported by more than 7,000 civilian staff.

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