UN official warns peacekeeping police’s role under strain amid funding crisis

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN's top peacekeeping official warned Thursday that the ability of the UN Police (UNPOL) to carry out critical peacekeeping mandates is under growing strain due to severe financial constraints and rising operational demands.

"United Nations Police, or UNPOL, remain a key component of UN peacekeeping and play an indispensable role in fulfilling our mandates," said Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix at the UN Security Council.

He stressed that the success of peacekeeping depends on shared responsibility among member states, host countries and UN personnel, particularly "at a time where multilateralism faces unprecedented pressures, and even more so when peace operations are being asked to deliver more with fewer resources."

Lacroix said the briefing came at a critical juncture, noting that it takes place "at a pivotal point for United Nations peacekeeping" against the backdrop of the UN80 Initiative aimed at improving the organization's efficiency and effectiveness and ongoing mission contingency planning driven by a severe liquidity crisis.

"As you know, the Secretariat has undertaken significant cost-saving measures, including reductions in civilian staff and the repatriation of military and police personnel," he said, adding: "We are committed to finding ways to save."

However, he warned that austerity alone will not sustain peacekeeping operations.

"This efficiency drive cannot substitute for predictable and sustainable financing," Lacroix said, adding that "peacekeeping's ability to deliver will be severely compromised without the timely and full payment of assessed contributions."

Outlining key priorities under the "Action for Peacekeeping Plus framework," Lacroix emphasized that "political solutions remain at the core of sustainable peace," highlighting the role of the UN Police in supporting political processes, strengthening host-State police and building trust between communities and authorities.

He also pointed to efforts to strengthen strategic and operational integration, invest in professional standards and specialized skills, and ensure accountability both to peacekeepers and the communities they serve.

"Accountability to peacekeepers and to the communities we serve remains paramount," he said, reiterating that the UN maintains "zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse."

Lacroix underscored the importance of strategic communications in today’s information environment, calling them "mission critical," and noted continued cooperation with host-State police, including police reform support in the Central African Republic and South Sudan.

Across all priorities, he said, "the Women, Peace and Security agenda remains central," urging continued investment in the recruitment, retention and leadership development of women police peacekeepers.

Despite mounting challenges, Lacroix said UN police personnel "continue to serve with dedication, professionalism and courage" in environments marked by insecurity and political volatility.

"This briefing is therefore an opportunity not only to take stock of progress, but to renew our collective commitment," he said, calling on Council members and contributing countries to support innovative deployment models and sustainable financing for UNPOL.