"Statement by Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN,At the Security Council Debate on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations(18 September 2026)******Mr. President,I would like to thank French Presidency for convening this debate, and let me also welcome the participation of the distinguished Foreign Minister of Panama and we thank him for his comprehensive statement. President, Allow me to also thank the Secretary-General for his briefing and his report on the review of the future of United Nations peace operations. This discussion comes at a critical moment, offering Member States an opportunity to reflect on the Secretary-Generals recommendations and on how UN peacekeeping should evolve to remain relevant, strong, effective and fit for purpose in a changing environment.Mr. President,2. Pakistan brings to this debate the perspective of both, a major troop-contributing country and as a host State. For over six decades, Pakistan has remained among the largest troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, with more than 170,000 Pakistani blue helmets having served the UN and 183 of our peacekeepers having made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of peace. Pakistan is also host to United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), that is mandated to observe ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. 3. We have also contributed over the years to peacekeeping policy debate with the objective of adapting and strengthening UN peacekeeping. Let me briefly recall that in 2004, more than 20 years ago, under Pakistans presidency of the Security Council at that time, a Presidential Statement (number 16) of the Council was adopted, which for the first time, in the context of the debate around peacekeeping referred to and addressed the challenge that was at that time about the surge in demand in peacekeeping and also introduced to Councils discussions concepts like robust mandates and rules of engagement for deploying missions with sufficient deterrence, even in risky situations. And then about ten years later in January 2013, in another presidency of Pakistan at the Security Council, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2086 which was a first time standalone and dedicated resolution of the Security Council on peacekeeping. It dealt with multi-dimensional peacekeeping. And that provided a big momentum to Secretariats efforts to effectively deploy multidimensional peacekeeping missions. And forward ten years later, in last year July, with support of council members, we adopted resolution 2788 on peaceful settlement of disputes, and this is something the distinguished Minister of Panama also highlighted in his statement about the need for mediation, good offices, and advancing political processes, which are very important. Again, in June this year, Pakistan together with Denmark, worked on Resolution 2823 on accountability for attacks against peacekeepers which was adopted by consensus. 4. So, this experience gives us a practical appreciation of what peacekeeping requires: political support, credible mandates, sustainable resources, adequate capabilities, host-State cooperation and sustained commitment from the wider membership.President, 5. Today, peacekeeping is under real pressure: no new mission has been established since 2014, several have closed or drawn down, and political and financial constraints have intensified. However, this should not be misread as decline for support of peacekeeping. Since, 1960s peacekeeping has moved in cycles of expansion and retrenchment, and the present moment can be seen as another period of realignment. Peacekeeping adapts because conflict changes and because international politics evolves.President,6. There is much to unpack on this subject, however, allow me to limit myself to four key points:First, peacekeeping needs both political backing and a political strategy. The Council must provide clear direction, sustained political support and adequate resources. Host-State consent must also translate into practical cooperation, including freedom of movement, access and support for mandate implementation.At the same time, the primacy of politics must be understood in its proper context: peacekeeping cannot substitute for a political process, but neither should the principle of primacy of politics become an argument for inaction. In fact, the pursuit of political solutions and peacekeeping should not be mutually exclusive. Even when political processes stall, peacekeeping can contain violence, protect civilians, preserve ceasefires and create space for politics to resume. We must use this key instrument to create and maintain space for politics.Second, focused mandates must mean better peacekeeping, not less peacekeeping. A focused mandate is not necessarily a smaller one; it is one that aligns political objectives, tasks, capabilities and resources.One situation may require a light observer presence; another news may entail, substantial mobility, aviation, engineering, medical and protection of civilian capabilities. There is no one-size-fits-all model.The sequence should be clear: define the political objective; design the mandate; identify the capabilities required; and resource it accordingly. We must not start with a financial ceiling and then shrink the mission to fit it, irrespective of political objectives.Let us recall that, in the context of UN, Peacekeeping is a proven cost-effective tool. We should reduce duplication, streamline processes and use technology better, and enhance partnerships with regional organizations, but efficiency and complementarity should strengthen delivery, not hollow out missions.Third, we must prepare today for the capabilities peacekeeping will need tomorrow. We therefore welcome the Secretary-Generals review s proposal for a study of the key police and military capabilities required for future peace operations. Practical, forward-looking and undertaken in close consultation with TCCs and PCCs, and this study should inform future force generation, training and pledges.Lastly, we must preserve peacekeeping as a genuinely collective UN instrument. Pakistan and Denmark, as the Councils peacekeeping duo with the support of all council members, have sought to help sustain attention to this important instrument in the council. Resolution 2823 on accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, adopted unanimously and co-sponsored by a record 153 Member States, demonstrated the breadth of support for UN peacekeeping.Similarly, this years C-34 report was adopted by consensus. At a time when we often speak of declining confidence in multilateralism, the wider membership has demonstrated its continuing interest in, and commitment to, peacekeeping.That collective ownership is one of peacekeepings greatest strengths. It is therefore incumbent upon this Council to preserve its relevance, credibility and capacity - and, when circumstances require, to decide and use it.Mr. President,5. This is a period of challenges and realignment. The reset proposed by the Secretary General is necessary. But in resetting peacekeeping, we should be careful not to dismantle the very strengths we may need again tomorrow.6. We should modernize the instrument while preserving what makes it uniquely United Nations: its universal legitimacy; its ability to draw personnel and capabilities from across the membership; its integrated structures; its sustainable financing mechanisms; its institutional knowledge; and the men and women willing to serve under the UN flag with pride, commitment and honor.That should guide the future of United Nations peacekeeping.I thank you.**************"