Regional Peacekeeping Conference Commences in Cairo

CAIRO, Nov. 18 (SEE)- The Regional Conference on “Enhancing the Performance of Peacekeeping Operations: from Mandate to Exit” has been inaugurated today in Cairo.

Ambassador Hamdi Loza, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered the opening speech on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry.

“As evident from its title, this conference seeks to approach UN peacekeeping reform through a comprehensive view that encompasses the various factors affecting their performance. Our conference assumes further importance in light of the upcoming discussions on peacekeeping reform, most notably in the context of the planned defense ministerial conference scheduled for March 2019,” noted Loza.

The ambassador stressed the ministry’s firm belief that the primacy of politics should be the hallmark of the approach of the United Nations to the resolution of conflict. He assured the urgency for implementing an operational framework for “The Declaration of Shared Commitments,” that encourages greater complementarity and coherence in the implementation by all actors addressed by the commitments.

Egypt made its first military contribution to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in the Congo in 1960. “Through the years, Egypt maintained its posture as a top troop and police contributing country, and currently ranks the 7th largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping.”

The inauguration was attended by  Masaki Noke, Ambassador of Japan to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations and a number of officials and representatives of different countries and organizations.

Sessions will review: “UN Peacekeeping in Complex Environments,” Prioritized and Achievable Mandates,” “Transition and Exit: Towards Sustaining Peace,” “Strengthening Partnerships and Cooperation in Peacekeeping”and “Readiness and Discipline of Peacekeepers.”

The wrap-up session will tackle the issue of enhancing the performance of “Peacekeeping Operations.”

The conference is organized by Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and runs for two days; November 18-19.