Rich States in UN Peacekeeping: Time to Lead by Example?

Thirteenth Annual UNA/RUSI Conference

The UN Secretary-General’s High-level Independent Panel has now commenced its review of peace operations as the call for peacekeeping reform once again tops the agenda. The continuing imbalance in global peacekeeping troop and police contributions leads some to question whether rich states, including the UK, are pulling their weight.  

Meanwhile, the UN has introduced more robust mandates, which have sometimes demanded more than the deployed contingents can fulfil. So as the UK and its NATO allies seek to refocus their priorities after withdrawal from Afghanistan, the time is right to consider the role that UN peacekeeping should play in Western security strategies. What expertise have they gained which can be successfully applied to UN peace support operations? What benefits could the UK get from strengthening its contributions? 

This annual conference, jointly organised by the United Nations Association and RUSI, is the UK’s most authoritative public review of UN peacekeeping activities. It brings together practitioners, diplomats, military and the public in an expert discussion of the most important issues in peacekeeping today. The programme will comprise of a morning session (a conference fee and pre-registration is required) followed by the wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph (free and open to the public).

Featured speakers and topics

Peace Operations: Reform and Western Contributions

Chairman

Sir Jeremy Greenstock GCMG, Chairman of UNA-UK and former UK Ambassador to the UN

Speakers

Her Excellency Mrs Sylvie Bermann, Ambassador of France to the UK

Mr Richard Gowan, Associate Director, Managing Global Order, Center on International Cooperation, New York University

Colonel Peter L J Loukes (Royal Netherlands Air Force), former Commanding Officer of the All Source Information Fusion Unit of MINUSMA

Colonel David Hannah (British Army), former Special Adviser to UNMISS

13th Folke Bernadotte Lecture
Reforming UN Peace Operations

Chairman: Professor Michael Clarke, Director General, Royal United Services Institute                         

Lecture by: Major General (Ret’d) Robert Gordon CMG CBE MA, former Force Commander of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea

Cenotaph Memorial

Members of the diplomatic community and other organisations will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph at 1300 in remembrance of those from the 122 participating nations who have been killed whilst serving as UN peacekeepers.

The conference fee of £15, with a special rate of £6 for students, includes related documents and morning refreshments.

To attend this event, please register online using the "Book your place" button above. If you have any queries please contact Victoria Walker, Members’ Events Co-ordinator, at victoriaw@rusi.org or call (0) 20 7747 2600