Malaysia Believes In Holistic Approach To Contain Asymmetric Threats

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 (Bernama) -- A holistic approach is the best solution in containing asymmetric threats against United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, says Malaysia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ramlan Ibrahim. He said the recent surge and persistence of asymmetric threats against UN peacekeepers complicated already precarious security situations and threatens to unravel hard-won gains and progress in the restoration of peace and stability in concerned countries. "It is clear that the need for UN peacekeeping remains pressing. In 1990, total UN peacekeeping deployment stood at roughly 70,000 personnel. "Today, that figure stands at slightly over 116,000 personnel deployed under 16 active missions, nine of which are in Africa and out of which five are in Francophone countries," he said at the Security Council's Open Debate on Peacekeeping Operations Facing Asymmetrical Threats in New York on Monday. His speech was made available to Bernama on Wednesday. According to Ramlan, a key turning point in the evolution of 'traditional' UN peacekeeping mandates was the inclusion of civilian protection elements as a core mission mandate, first introduced vide Council resolution 1270 concerning the situation in Sierra Leone in 1999. "As rightly noted, an increasing number of peacekeeping missions which have protection of civilians as a core mission mandate are currently deployed in complex geopolitical environments, including those which pose significant asymmetric threats," he said. Therefore, he added, Malaysia outlined several recommendations to the host nations including established a networking mechanism for allowing information-sharing with peacekeepers. "This will assist in planning for the operations, as well as identifying possible threats prior to UN peacekeeping deployment. Besides that, the host nation's forces should be ready to work hand-in-hand with UN peacekeeping operations in addressing the threats. "The host nation's force must be prepared from the beginning of the deployment of peacekeeping operations to assume full security responsibility for the mission." Ramlan also suggested the host nation place greater emphasis on human resource development, particularly focusing on the youth and women, by giving the opportunity to participate actively in any peace process and peacebuilding efforts. "Peacekeeping missions must be adaptable and responsive to the various lessons learnt in past experiences to continue to improve them in responding to new threats, including asymmetric ones," he added. He said another area of priority should be to ensure ground troops were accorded the necessary and appropriate equipment and training. On the one hand, Ramlan said new technologies which could contribute to better intelligence and situational awareness were critical. As a firm believer in multilateral approaches for the maintenance of international peace and security, he said Malaysia had been an active contributor to UN peacekeeping. "Since 1960, just three years after achieving independence, Malaysia has to date, participated in over 30 peacekeeping operations. In this regard, I wish to reaffirm Malaysia's continuing commitment and support," he added. --BERNAMA