EU Statement – UN Security Council: the Future of Peace Operations

EU Statement - UN Security Council: the Future of Peace Operations

9 September 2025, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by H.E. Mr. Stavros LAMBRINIDIS, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on 'The Future of Peace Operations: Key Issues, Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of the Review on the Future of All Forms of UN Peace Operations'

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina^* and Georgia, as well as Armenia, align themselves with this statement.

Mr. President,

I want to thank the Republic of Korea for organizing this important debate, as well as the briefers for their insightful remarks.

UN peace operations remain one of the most important multilateral instruments for responding to a broadening range of threats. Yet, in times of multiplying crises, they are confronted with increasingly complex challenges, including declining trust and lack of political support. But they remain among the most impactful multilateral instruments for sustaining peace and security - by protecting civilians, preventing escalation of violence, or ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches the most vulnerable.

During the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin earlier this year, the vast majority of UN member states renewed their commitments to this tool, underscoring the broad support that UN peace operations enjoy. They also rely on this Council's backing, and its role is more crucial than ever.

UN peace operations are an integral part of the global peace and security architecture, and their review should be coherent and consistent with other ongoing review and reform processes, including the UN80 initiative. At the same time, peace operations must be able to continue delivering on their mandates in the context of ongoing reforms. We now have a unique opportunity to shape the UN peace architecture, adapting it to rapidly changing realities and increasing its effectiveness.

Allow me to underline a few points from the EU's perspective.

• UN peace operations should be anchored in viable political strategies. Their mandates must be realistic, driven by strategic vision and matched with adequate and sustainable financing. Early engagement and the definition of clear exit strategies are vital to ensure that peace operations are both effective and temporally bound.

• The review should recommend a standardised integrated planning process both on strategic and operational level, applicable to all peace operations, as well as a holistic approach to bridge the divide between peacekeeping operations and special political missions. This is necessary to harness the full breadth of UN capabilities for peace and security.

• We underline the role of host countries, regional partnerships, and local stakeholders. It is through their engagement that we can enhance the sustainability and impact of peace operations on the ground. The triangular cooperation between the AU, UN, and EU and the recently renewed EU-UN Strategic Partnership on Peace and Security exemplify the strength of such collaboration.

• Strict adherence to the UN Charter and compliance with UN standards - including rule of law and human rights principles - are crucial for the credibility and legitimacy of peace operations. The EU also fully supports strengthening the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, ensuring involvement and leadership of women across all stages of peace processes. Integrating the children, youth and climate agenda into peace and security efforts is equally important.

• Finally, we must also act to ensure the safety of those who risk their lives: the security of peacekeepers must remain a top priority, supported both politically and with the necessary resources, including ensuring accountability for crimes against them.

The EU's commitment to these principles is unwavering, as is our contribution. We jointly contributed almost one quarter of the UN's peacekeeping budget last year and we currently deploy almost 4,000 military, police and civilian personnel to UN peace operations, while one EU Member State is hosting a peacekeeping operation. The EU is also a security provider with 21 ongoing civilian and military missions and operations around the world, working hand-in-hand with the UN on the ground.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, let me assure you that support to UN peace operations will remain a central pillar of EU-UN cooperation.

Thank you once again to the Presidency for taking the initiative to convene today's debate and we look forward to the outcome of this review process.

Thank you.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.