Statement by H.E. Andrew Goledzinowski, Chargé d’Affaires and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations Security Council on the AU-UN Panel Report on modalities for supporting peacekeeping operations
18 March 2009
(As delivered)
Mr President
Thank you for this opportunity to address the Council on the report of joint African Union – United Nations panel on support for African Union peacekeeping operations.
At the outset, I would like to commend the Panel for their comprehensive, thorough and realistic report. The Panel has raised a number of recommendations for strengthening the UN - AU relationship in relation to peacekeeping, and for developing the AU’s structural, procedural, logistical and human resources.
The report has also raised some interesting proposals regarding the establishment of new financial mechanisms aimed at strengthening the AU’s capacity both for peacekeeping and capacity building.
These recommendations demand further reflection by Member States, both in the Security Council and in the General Assembly.
Mr President
Australia commends the AU for its increasing engagement in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post-conflict reconstruction activities. The challenges are significant, especially for a relatively new regional organisation which is trying to address operational imperatives while simultaneously developing its own Peace and Security Architecture. In addressing these operational and institutional challenges, we would encourage the AU to learn from the experiences, both good and bad, of the UN and other comparable regional organisations.
With Africa remaining home to 40% of global peace operations, the need to strengthen the AU’s capacity for peacekeeping, both in terms of responding to crises and promoting long-term stability, is self evident. We support the provision of assistance by the UN to develop the AU’s conflict prevention and peace keeping capacity, and encourage the UN Secretariat and AU Commission to explore ways in which their relationship can be further developed.
With more than 70% of the UN’s military personnel and more than 50% of its police personnel deployed to missions in Africa, we also support the report’s call for the establishment of a more effective strategic relationship between the UN and the AU. We need to recognise that these UN resources are scarce and need to be used in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
Mr President
I would like to emphasise that the Australian Government is keen to strengthen our engagement with Africa and the AU in the field of peace and security, and to cooperate where appropriate with African Member States in addressing many of the challenges raised in the report. This was outlined by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Smith, when he addressed the African Union Executive Council Meeting in Addis Ababa on 29 January.
During his recent visit to Addis Ababa, the Australian Minister for Defence announced that a number of places would be made available for AU-nominated officers to undertake training at Australian defence courses on vital military skills to help increase the effectiveness of peace missions. Minister Fitzgibbon also announced that Australia would co-sponsor, together with the AU and UN, a peacekeeping symposium in Africa later this year to allow for an exchange of experience and expertise. Furthermore, he undertook to explore the possibility that Australia may be able to provide some modest training and mentoring assistance to the Eastern Brigade stand-by force to help build the capacities and capabilities of the AU for peace keeping, peace support and prevention activities.
Australia also looks forward to continuing our support of the E-Learning for African Peacekeepers (ELAP) programme. We have been a proud supporter of this programme since its inception in 2006. In that time, the programme has attracted over 168,000 enrolments, at no cost to the participants, in distance training across 22 peacekeeping courses.
As noted throughout the report, military capabilities can never substitute for long-term political solutions to crises. Australia has been pleased to contribute to UN initiatives aimed at strengthening the relationship between the AU and the UN, and at developing more effective conflict-prevention mechanisms in Africa, both at the regional and sub-regional level.
Mr President
We look forward to working with members of the Council, and members of the African Union, in coming months as we further our consideration of this important report.
Thank you.