An Indonesian female soldier joining the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) patrolled along Lebanon-Israeli borders on April 23, 2020(UN/Pasqual Gorriz)
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is endorsing global partnership to support the UN's increasingly formidable peacekeeping mission in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has made the tasks of the UN peacekeeping forces more complex. The UN peacekeeping forces are currently also contributing to the handling of the pandemic," Marsudi noted in the Foreign Ministry’s written statement released on Tuesday.
The minister made the remarks during the opening of the Challenges Annual Forum (CAF) held virtually on Monday. The meeting was themed “Framing Peace Operations in a Changing Global Landscape.”
The Norwegian foreign minister and the under-secretary-general of the UN Peace Operation Department also partook in the meeting.
Marsudi highlighted the importance of ensuring that the UN peacekeeping mission remains responsive to the ever-evolving on-field challenges.
To this end, partnership is the key to the peacekeeping mission as a collective effort and common responsibility, she remarked.
The minister highlighted three crucial issues, with the first being to ensure again support from all sides for the UN peacekeeping mission, while the second pertains to preparing well-trained soldiers, and the third focuses on promoting the role of female soldiers in peacekeeping operations.
Peacekeeping forces that receive political support and funding will be able to implement their mandate effectively. Moreover, increasing importance has been attached to ensure health protection for the UN peacekeeping force during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Marsudi noted that the peacekeeping forces must also be groomed optimally, including ensuring their security to perform their duties optimally.
In this context, Indonesia remains resolute to supporting capacity building, including training for UN peacekeeping personnel through close partnership with all stakeholders, including regional organizations, she stated.
The minister affirmed that Indonesia's commitment to the issue was reflected by Resolution of UN Security Council 2538 proposed by Indonesia and endorsed in August 2020.
For its part, the international community is expected to work towards implementing the resolution by strengthening capacity and creating a conducive environment for female personnel in the peacekeeping operations, among others, she stated.
At the opening session, the Norwegian foreign minister lauded Indonesia for its initiative to promote Resolution 2538 and highlighted the significance of the political process in the peace mission, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The CAF is a dialog forum among decision makers, practitioners, and academics to discuss key issues and development of the US peacekeeping mission.
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