Peacekeeping during pandemics requires coherent and multifaceted responses

The current coronavirus pandemic not only poses a threat to development and peacebuilding, but also risks exacerbating conflicts or triggering new ones, the UN chief said Wednesday.

At a Security Council meeting on the challenges of achieving sustainable peace during pandemics, the UN Secretary-General reasoned that, during this time of uncertainty, questions are growing about the efficiency of health systems, social services and trust in institutions and systems of governance.

"All this means that our commitment to maintaining peace is more urgent than ever.  The challenges of this pandemic highlight more than ever the need for coherent, multidimensional and cross-cutting responses according to the internal logic of the Sustainable Development Goals," said António Guterres.

However, although we know that applying coherent and adapted methods of prevention to conflicts that contribute to facing health and human crises will make it possible to achieve sustainable peace, Guterres detailed three major threats: the loss of confidence in public institutions and governments, the instability of the world economic order and the deterioration of the social fabric.

In the first scenario, he explained that when the impression is given that the authorities are not handling crises correctly or there is a lack of transparency, the population tends to become disillusioned with the government and its institutions.  

With regard to the destabilization of the global economic system, he warned that if there is no coordinated action, "inequalities, global poverty and the potential for instability and violence could increase for years".

Thirdly, he highlighted the erosion of the social fabric by cutting off civic space and blocking the exercise of democracy and the legitimate expression of grievances.​​​​​​​

"We have seen many peaceful protests, and in several countries, COVID-19 has been used as an excuse to take severe measures and increase state repression.  At least 23 countries have postponed national elections or referendums, and almost twice that number have postponed votes at lower levels," he said.

On the opposite side of the scale, during the pandemic and as positive developments, Guterres cited the attention paid in many places to his call for a global ceasefire; the adoption in July of resolution 2532, "a step in the right direction"; however, he noted that "much more is needed to translate early gains into concrete action on the ground".

Along with these two contributions, he also highlighted the influence that the highest security body can exert in order to carry out greater prevention work. ​​​​​​​

In the current context, he indicated that this would translate into adapting responses to the pandemic "starting with a multidimensional analysis that examines how it affects the hidden risks arising from conflict"; the importance of inclusion, especially with marginalized communities, women's groups and youth; and close collaboration between humanitarian, development and peace actors.

"For example, to build peace, we must ensure that humanitarian issues are fully addressed in a comprehensive manner.  Lebanon is a case in point," he said.

He also stressed the need to build strong partnerships with governments, regional and sub-regional organizations, the private sector and civil society actors, and to ensure that international financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF include peacekeeping as a priority.

Finally, he described the Security Council's ongoing collaboration with the Peacebuilding Commission as "essential", even though its demand continues to outstrip supply.  "We hope to approve $210 million in projects this year, but that is still a long way from the 'quantum leap' I have called for in this Council and elsewhere," he said.