$1bn needed to maintain UN peacekeeping missions: Annan

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned that an extra $1 billion will be needed by the end of the year to fund the ever-growing number of peacekeeping missions.

The UN Security Council yesterday called on Member States to give the world body the political and financial support, as well as the civilian and military personnel, "to allow the multiple operations to start optimally and fulfil their respective mandates in an effective manner".

The UN is currently involved in 14 peacekeeping operations with further efforts in Haiti set to begin in June.

After its review of UN peacekeeping operations in a meeting presided over by Ambassador Munir Akram of Pakistan, which holds the Council's rotating monthly Presidency for May, the Council said it understood the challenges the recent surge in demand for new peacekeeping operations meant for the UN system.

"The Security Council calls upon Member States to ensure that the United Nations is provided with full political and financial support to meet these challenges effectively, keeping in view the specific requirements of each mission and bearing in mind the human and financial resource implications for the United Nations," Mr Akram said in the presidential statement.

Recognizing the need to draw on the expertise of experienced troop-contributing countries, the Council called for the establishment of peacekeeping training centres for new and emerging troop contributors.

Paying high tribute to the high level of professionalism, dedication and courage of all those who have served with UN peacekeeping operations, the Council "honour(ed) the memory of those who lost their lives in the service of the United Nations and the noble cause of peace."

(gmcg)