Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the general debate of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34) - February 18th, 2025

Mr. Chair,

I commend your work and the leadership of the Bureau in the lead up to this year's session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.

I would also like to commend Canada as Chair of the Working Group of the Whole.

Peacekeeping operations are an essential part of the United Nations' peace and security toolkit. For more than 70 years, the UN has deployed peacekeeping operations that have helped to contain conflicts, protect civilians and provide a conducive environment for peace negotiations.

Brazil is proud to be a part of this history and continues to support an approach that leads to more efficient and effective operations.

As the main body responsible for the comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations, this Committee has a key role to play in this regard.

This year, we should make a special effort to come up with concrete recommendations to promote the implementation of the Pact for the Future, in particular Action 21.

A key aspect of this action is the guideline stating that peace operations must be guided by political strategies and support political solutions. We must keep in mind that military responses are limited, and sustainable peace cannot be achieved through security measures alone.

The integration of peacebuilding strategies from the outset of missions is essential in this regard.

The C34 report must shed light on issues that need further consideration by the UN and Member States, especially on those issues underscored by troop- and police-contributing countries, as well as host nations.

Because of the challenges we witnessed the past year, more than ever, the security of peacekeeping missions and personnel needs to be seriously discussed. It is unacceptable that missions such as UNIFIL in Lebanon and MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are attacked. We must all recommit ourselves to the basic principles of international law in order to protect our missions and personnel.

Peacekeeping missions need to adapt to rapid change and new circumstances. To do this, the UN and Member States need to work on more efficient models and skilled personnel.

Partnerships and training are essential. Strengthened capacities and further cooperation between states and regional organizations are crucial to ensure that the deployed troops and police can meet the challenges on the ground.

There has to be a clear assessment of what is needed to fulfil their mandates. Brazil strongly supports the mainstreaming of a gender perspective throughout the recommendations of the report. In line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda, we favor specific recommendations on women's leadership as well as on women's full, safe, equal and meaningful participation in peacekeeping operations and in the political processes they support.

As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), we should be able to recognize achievements, but also continue to make progress towards gender equality in all matters related to international peace and security.

Mr. Chair,

I would like to reiterate Brazil's commitment to peacekeeping. We are very pleased with the appointment of General Ulisses Gomes as Force Commander of MONUSCO, the sixth Brazilian to hold this position. We are committed to maintaining our best efforts to ensure that peacekeepers are safe and ready to fulfil their mandates. The C34 report is an important tool in this regard.

Thank you