UNSC Open Debate: Key Role of Strategic Communications for Efficient Peacekeeping

[Tuesday, 12 July 2022; 1000 hrs]

India Statement

Mr. President, 

Let me begin by congratulating Brazil for their July presidency of the Security Council. I also convey our appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Carlos Franca, Foreign Minister of Brazil for chairing today’s open debate on an important and pertinent issue of strategic communications in peacekeeping operations. I thank Secretary General Antonio Guterres for his valuable remarks. I also thank MONUSCO Force Commander Lt General Marcos De Sa Affonso Da Costa and Director of International Peace Institute Jenna Russo for their respective briefings. 

2.     On behalf of my delegation, I offer tribute to all Men and Women, who continue to defend peace, through their professionalism, dedication and courage in UN peacekeeping operations, and to those who have made the supreme sacrifice in serving the cause of peace. 

3.    India has been a pioneer in UN Peacekeeping since its inception, having deployed more than a quarter million troops, in as many as 49 UN Peacekeeping Missions. In keeping with this tradition, we have today more than 5,500 personnel deployed across 9 missions. Serving under the blue flag, 175 gallant Indian soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice, the largest number among troop contributing countries. 

Mr. President, 

4.    UN peacekeeping operations, over the years, have evolved to become multidimensional missions, operating in difficult security environment, particularly in Africa. Peacekeeping operations are increasingly called upon to not only to maintain peace and security but also to facilitate the political processes, protect civilians, disarm combatants, support elections, protect and promote human rights and restore the rule of law. The expansion of terrorist groups in Africa has added another challenging dimension to the already complex peacekeeping matrix.

5.    In the recent years, peacekeeping is facing another new challenge, which has been mounted by inimical forces and terrorist groups, who are increasingly using information technology to target blue helmets. There has been growing misinformation and disinformation campaigns adversely impacting the activities of the missions and putting lives of peacekeepers in danger. There are also misplaced expectations among local communities about the peacekeepers and regarding the mandate to protect civilians. Such misunderstandings are further aggravated by use of ambiguous terminologies such as “robust mandate”, “robust posture”, or even “offensive posture”, in the peacekeeping mandate resolutions of the Security Council, creating room for speculative and arbitrary interpretation of these. 

6.    Besides, the missions with so-called robust mandates have become targets of terrorist and armed groups. The empirical data shows while situation of protection of civilians in conflict zones has not improved, attacks on peacekeepers have increased many fold leading to an exponential growth of fatalities of peacekeepers. Indeed 1/3rd of all-time malicious activities against peacekeepers took place in past one decade alone.

7.    It is therefore inevitable that peacekeeping missions address these issues by engaging local communities, building trust, and helping them understand what peacekeepers can do for them and what they cannot, including explain the responsibilities which primarily lie with the host state. We believe that flow of authentic information is crucial to address misinformation. Communication through the right messengers is also extremely critical.  Since disinformation comes in multiple shades, and as such targeted strategies for preparedness and response regarding different forms of disinformation need to be developed. Therefore, an effective communication strategy aimed at achieving these goals is sine qua non for peace operations.

8.    In this regard, allow me to submit the following eight observations:

i)    First, the first step of an effective strategic communication of peace operations starts at the Security Council with drafting of comprehendible/implementable mandates. A mandate that lucidly delineates intent, minimizes ambiguity, and correlates tasks and resources will go a long way in clarifying mission purpose. The council needs to avoid terminologies and formulations while crafting Mission mandates, which generate false hopes and expectations.

ii)    Second, the goals and objectives of missions’ strategic communications should clearly be defined in line with the mandate of the peacekeeping missions. Extra-mandated communications can lead to confusion and friction with host state authorities. Further the main objective of strategic communication should be to improve the understanding of mandate among local population and enhance safety and security of peacekeepers. 

iii)    Third, the strategic communication should be uniform and harmonious across all platforms of communications, as well as within all organs of the peacekeeping mission. A harmonious and coherent Mission communication strategy helps peace operations to not only convey its messages clearly but receive feedback form the population it serves, and further improvise the mandate implementation.

iv)    Fourth, the principles of peacekeeping, particularly the consent of host state, should be fully respected. No strategic communication in any manner should try to encroach upon the sovereignty of the host state or undermine the interests of host state. Trust and coordination between mission and host state is essential for success of these measures.

v)    Fifth, the strategic communication should also educate the local population about the need for safety of peacekeepers as well as accountability for crimes committed against them. At the mission level, concrete steps should be taken to ensure safety and security of mission personnel, camps and infrastructures. 

vi)    Sixth, situational awareness empowers strategic communication. Platforms such as UNITEAWARE, which our delegation assisted the UN in implementing last year, are key enablers for strategic communication. This helps in prioritization of need and direction of efforts.  In 2021, India contributed US$1.6 million towards rolling out of UNITEAWARE platform as pilot project across 4 peacekeeping mission.

vii)    Seventh, the role of women peacekeepers cannot be over-emphasized in effective implementation of the strategic communication. India takes pride in the fact that the first-ever all women peacekeeping contingent was from India and stationed in Liberia, which is remembered even to this day in Liberia. Women peacekeepers have been instrumental in enhancing impact of peacekeeping, be it MONUSCO or UNMISS.  

viii)    Eighth, the need for addressing the insecurity of local population caused by terrorist groups cannot be ignored. It is important that mission strategic communication should be supplemented by measures aimed at improving capacities of security forces of host state by providing them adequate training and logistical support, as well as build resilience of local population through peacebuilding efforts for improving their livelihood and providing for their basic needs. 

Mr. President,

9.    I would like to conclude by saying that safety and security of peacekeepers should be an utmost priority for all of us. When the Council decides the crafting of peacekeeping mandates, we need to keep that cardinal principle in our minds. We cannot let the bearers of the blue flag be exposed to harm’s way, without providing them the necessary resources needed to tackle such threats. With this belief, in 2022, we provided support of $310,000 for a strategic communication project aimed at enhancing role of women in peace and political processes. Several quick impact projects in southern Lebanon, were funded by India and executed by Indian battalion in UNIFIL, in the areas of health, education, waste disposal, power etc. We also deployed veterinary officers in UNMISS over and above our commitment in Mission areas where pastoral community and livestock form the major basis for community’s economic activities. 

10.    As one of the largest troop and police contributing countries, India remains committed to support all efforts to enhance strategic communications in peacekeeping. I thank you, Mr. President. 

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