The future of Peace Operations - Security Council, 9991st meeting

With conflicts at highest since 1946, United Nations Peacekeeping remains lifeline for millions, senior official tells Security Council.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 03:01:11
• Production Date: 9 September 2025
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: JEAN-PIERRE LACROIX; ROSEMARY A. DICARLO
• Corporate Name: DEPARTMENT OF PEACE OPERATIONS - DPO; DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL AND PEACEBUILDING AFFAIRS - DPPA
• Subject Topical: INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY; PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS; PARTNERSHIP; CIVILIAN PROTECTION; DIALOGUE; ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE; MEDIATION; REGIONAL COOPERATION; GROUP CONFLICT PREVENTION; CONFLICT
• MAMS Id: 3446041
• Parent Id: 3445087
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 9991 PEACE OPERATIONS 09 SEP 2025 AM PART 1

Description

Peace operations must be adaptable but grounded in political solutions, nationally owned but well-coordinated across stakeholders, and equipped with emerging technologies to succeed amid global challenges and severe resource constraints, the Security Council heard today during an all-day open debate on the future of UN peace efforts.

Over 60,000 peacekeepers from 115 Member States are serving in 11 missions, protecting civilians, mediating conflicts and preventing escalation, reported Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations. Despite rising global conflicts, which reached a record high of 61 active conflicts in 2024 — “the most since 1946” — the UN continues to advance its Action for Peacekeeping+ initiative and efforts towards improved mission planning, gender parity, peacekeeper safety and accountability.

“Peacekeeping is not a luxury; it is a lifeline for millions who count on it for a future without fear,” he underscored, stressing that host States and troop- and police-contributing countries, regional actors and local communities must be clearly reflected in peace mandates. He urged the Council’s “strong, unified and ongoing support” to “advance durable political solutions”, so that peacekeeping, which must be backed by clear mandates, political engagement and timely payments of assessed contributions, can withdraw without the threat of renewed conflict. Citing a notable increase in available data and sources, he said digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) must be harnessed “to assess the effectiveness of our responses”.

Adoption of the agenda

• Maintenance of international peace and security
• 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 - S/2025/547

Briefers:

• Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations
• Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
• Thomas Zahneisen, Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission
• Jenna Russo, Director of Research and Head of the Brian Urquhart Center for Peace Operations, International Peace Institute

Related Sites and Documents

UN Meetings Coverage

S/2025/547

S/PV.9991