The United Nations System in Pakistan partnered with Embassy of Italy in Islamabad and Centre for Peace and Stability at National University of Science and Technology (NUST) to host a panel discussion on Peacekeeping at the Centre for Peace and Stability at NUST.
The panel discussion highlighted the importance of contributing peacekeepers and of effectively training them to face the challenges of today’s advanced multidimensional operations. A large number of peacekeepers from Pakistan, visiting peacekeepers from Nigeria, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka were amongst the participants. Mr. Tommaso Sansone, Charge’d Affaires at the Embassy of Italy, while highlighting the contribution of Italy said that with more than 1000 men and women on the ground, Italy ranks first among Western Countries as troop contributors and 7th among financial contributors to peace missions. “Italy has been consistent with its tradition of solidarity and always played a highly visible role of reconstruction, stability, peacekeeping and peace building efforts” said Sansone. Sansone said that Italy has made noteworthy contribution to the efforts of the UN peacekeeping both logistically and at training level. Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Director General (UN), Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that peacekeeping remains the primary tool for the UN to achieve peace and security.
Peacekeeping has proven to be one of the most effective tools available to the United Nations to assist host countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace. There are currently 16 UN peacekeeping operations deployed in four continents with a total of 124,746 personnel serving. Pakistan is 4th contributor to the UN peacekeeping operation ongoing with a total of 7,794 military and police officers out of which 7,510 are men and 140 are women.
The partnership between the UN and peacekeeping remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Ahmad said that Pakistan has been engaged with the UN peacekeeping since the 1960s and is currently participating in six missions. The contribution that Pakistan has brought in is intangible and we are very proud of this” said Ahmad. Adding to that he said that recent UN Peacekeeping summit held alongside the UN General Assembly session this year was encouraging. The discussion ended with the inauguration of the UN Wall at the Centre for Peace and Stability at NUST and was signed by peacekeepers.