UN Peacekeeping Operations Review: Adapting to Protect and Build Sustainable Peace
On May 27th, Portugal participated in the first informal UN General Assembly’s briefing on the future of peacekeeping, a crucial process mandated by the Pact for the Future. The meeting, featuring senior UN officials, focused on the urgent need to modernize these vital instruments to address today’s complex international challenges.
This review responds to profound geopolitical shifts: a multipolar world, erosion of trust in multilateralism, challenges to international norms, and the rise of non-state armed groups. While offering new tools, the technological revolution also brings risks like disinformation and the use of digital platforms by violent actors. The UN recognizes that peace operations must evolve to remain relevant, effective, and lifesaving, ensuring flexible mandates backed by political will and strong regional partnerships.
In this context, Portugal reaffirmed its strong, historical commitment to UN peacekeeping as an indispensable tool for security and humanitarian assistance.
Advocating for an ambitious, realistic, and inclusive approach, Portugal emphasized full engagement with host governments and local communities. It called for enhanced coordination between UN peacekeeping and political departments to ensure future mandates reflect an integrated “peace continuum” strategy.
Aligned with the Pact for the Future, Portugal’s key recommendations included clear political strategies focusing on civilian protection and peaceful conflict resolution; integrating climate risks into conflict analysis and prevention; actively involving local communities, especially women and youth.
