The United States has faulted the United Nations’ “bureaucratic inefficiencies, politicized initiatives, and burdensome mandates” that impede prioritization and strain resources.
John Kelley, Acting US Representative to the UN, registered America’s complaint on Thursday during a Security Council Debate on the Future of Peace Operations.
Noting that the UN has a unique role in addressing difficult and sensitive conflicts, Kelley observed peace operations’ struggle with a system that requires reform and reprioritization.
The US wants the global body to immediately reform by reverting to its foundational purpose of maintaining international peace and security, and becoming more accountable and transparent.
Such a step, according to Kelley, will help the UN to exercise its comparative advantages, including by deploying multinational, tailored, targeted solutions to address peace and security problems.
The diplomat advocated a reward for excellent performance and consequences for performance failures, discipline issues, resource mismanagement, and non-intervention during threats of violence against civilians.
The US government also insists on punishment, without political consideration, for individual perpetrators, TCCs, and PCCs found culpable in instances of sexual abuse and exploitation.
Kelley urged the UN to, in collaboration with peacekeeping at the mission-level, engage in headquarters-level scenario planning, as well as integrated military and civilian mission-planning.
The reforms should result in the UN Security Council being provided with consistent candid assessments and realistic recommendations, the Representative advised.
Kelley equally stressed the need for peacekeeping to reflect the political and operational realities of the moment through clear and focused mandates and support structures.
“Targeted and achievable mandates – rather than burdensome mandates – will also help address the growing trust deficit facing peace operations today,” he emphasized.
