Partnerships – the United Nations, the European Union and the Regional Dimensions of Peace Operations: Examples of Cooperation within the Framework of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter

The first International Forum for the Challenges of Peace Operations (the Challenges Forum) was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and the Ministry of Defence of France 20-22 October 2008 at École Militaire in Paris as part of the French EU Presidency agenda and addressed “Partnerships – the United Nations, the European Union and the Regional Dimensions of Peace Operations: Examples of Cooperation within the Framework of Chapter VIII of the UN Charter”.

The focus of the Forum 2008 was intended to address a selection of subjects relevant for the UN, for regional organizations and for individual states, with a particular, but not exclusive, emphasis on UN and EU perspectives on the selected issues.

The objective of the 2008 Challenges Forum was twofold: to assess achievements and shortcomings in the international development of an interlocking system of peacekeeping capacities, identifying and proposing practical ways ahead, with a particular, but not exclusive, focus on the United Nations – European Union relationship and cooperation. Second, to address a selection of issues of particular concern to the international community with the aim of identifying best practices to be integrated into the further development of international guidelines and practices for international peace operations.

The sessions tackled topics such as the development of UN relations with other international organizations, security sector reform, development and peace-building and coordination of humanitarian operations.

In addition to representatives from the Challenges Forum Partner Organizations, key officials of international and regional organizations, national representatives in different intergovermental bodies, and leading academic and NGO representatives attended the Challenges Forum 2008.