As ceasefires grow more fragile and conflicts more unpredictable, Pakistan has called for making use of the rapidly expanding array of new technologies to make its peacekeeping missions "more effective".
"Advances in sensing technologies can dramatically enhance ceasefire monitoring at lower costs," Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, permanent representative of Pakistan o the United Nations, told the UN Security Council on Monday.
Speaking at a Council's briefing on the Heads of Military Component (HOMC) of the UN Peacekeeping, he emphasized that advances in sensing technology - including drones and satellite imagery - can significantly enhance monitoring capabilities by providing "real-time, comprehensive situational awareness".
Noting that the core original function of peacekeeping – monitoring and observing ceasefires – has endured, Ambassador Asim said that he first two Missions – the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) – were established with this purpose and continue to hold relevance till this day.
"Ceasefire monitoring by the UN has played a vital role in maintaining peace in several flashpoints such as Jammu and Kashmir, the Golan Heights, Cyprus, Lebanon and Western Sahara," the Pakistani envoy said, underscoring that UN peacekeeping was "cost-effective and deeply impactful."
The Security Council, he said, must ensure that the environment provided by the cessation of hostilities and compliance with ceasefire was utilized strategically to advance the overall political objectives, and peace process including through sustained diplomatic engagement and support for implementation of UN Security Council resolutions to ensure just and lasting settlement of those conflicts.
"This is true for all situations on the Council's agenda, including Jammu and Kashmir," Ambassador Asim told 15-member Council.
Peacekeeping, he said, remains one of the UN's most effective instruments to help countries transition the difficult path from conflict to peace. Pakistan is among the largest troop contributors tø the peacekeeping missions deployed in hotspots around the world.
Next week, Pakistan will host Peacekeeping Ministerial preparatory meeting, in partnership with South Korea, in Islamabad.
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