Chinese envoy calls for improvements in UN peacekeeping operations

UNITED NATIONS - A Chinese envoy said on Monday that several actions can be taken to improve the United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Speaking at a plenary meeting of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said that the UN peacekeeping operations have new challenges to counter while playing an important role in maintaining international peace and security.

The UN Secretariat should optimize its logistical support mechanisms, strengthen training during deployment and enhance the capacity to improve the management of peacekeeping operations and deal with complex situations, said the Chinese envoy.

According to Wu, the Secretariat's new peace and security architecture and management structure are operational now, and the new structures are expected to be effective on integrating resources, as well as improving service management and operational efficiency.

"And more attentions should be paid to the safety of peacekeepers," he said.

Wu said that as security risks and casualties among peacekeepers were on the rise, the Secretariat and the missions should formulate security rules in an integrated manner, strengthen information collection and sharing, ensure that security equipment and measures are in place, and strengthen medical ambulance capacity effectively.