Challenges Annual Forum Report 2013

Strengthening UN Peace Operations: Modalities and Opportunities for Regionalized Contributions

The Challenges Annual Forum 2013 was hosted by the Argentine Ministry of Defence in cooperation with the Armed Forces Joint Staff and the Argentine Joint Peacekeeping Training Centre (CAECOPAZ) in Buenos Aires. At a time with surging demand for UN peacekeeping operations, regionalized contributions to peacekeeping can be seen as a complementary factor. Under the overarching theme ‘Strengthening UN Peace Operations: Modalities and Opportunities for Regionalized Contributions’, Challenges Annual Forum Report 2013 address the issue through the following thematic areas: development of the relationship and consultations between UN bodies and regional contributors; experiences of regionalized contributions to multifunctional peacekeeping operations; enhancement of the operational readiness of regionalized contributions; and, harmonization of policies, principles and guidelines, with a special focus on protection of civilians, gender and transnational organized crime. The Forum moreover addressed the ongoing work to develop a Strategic Guidance Framework for International Police Peacekeeping.

This report comprises a thorough summary and recommendations derived from the speakers and participants’ view on the current challenges of peace operations.