China's support of UN peacekeepers hailed

The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a presidential statement by China that aims to enhance the safety and security of UN peacekeepers by highlighting measures that would help them adapt to new challenges.

The statement reflects a consensus among council members to boost peacekeeper safety. It was adopted during an open debate addressing UN peacekeeping operations, held under China's initiative.

China's Permanent Mission to the UN, which holds the council's rotating presidency in May, said on Twitter China is "grateful to the strong support of Council members".

The president's statement is an important document passed by the Council on improving the safety and security of peacekeepers, after the Security Council adopted Resolution 2518 last year, which was also proposed by China.

Foreign Minister spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Tuesday the statement provides new guidance to enhance peacekeeper safety and China would keep working with other stakeholders to ensure the safety of peacekeepers and give full play to the important role of peacekeeping operations in maintaining international peace and security.

Council members expressed deep concerns about the security risks faced by peacekeepers. They praised the secretary-general for making peacekeeper safety and security an important part of the "Action for Peacekeeping" initiative. They noted the establishment of the Group of Friends on the Safety and Security of United Nations Peacekeepers, the statement said.

Vaccination encouraged

Delegates encouraged the vaccination of UN peacekeepers and welcomed assistance from member states on this matter.

The Security Council also condemned "in the strongest terms" the killing of UN peacekeeping personnel. They called on all member states hosting peacekeeping operations to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.

Through the statement, council members asked the secretary-general to submit an independent strategic review of the UN peacekeeping operations' response to improvised explosive devices to the council.

The Security Council encouraged troop- and police-contributing countries as well as field missions to use new technologies to ensure peacekeeper safety. They stressed the importance of enhancing information acquisition, situation awareness and medical support capabilities.

"For more than 70 years, over 4,000 peacekeepers have died in the line of duty. This year, 50 peacekeepers have laid down their precious lives. While peacekeeping operations cannot be absolutely zero risk, we should try our level best to minimize security risks," said Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the UN, who chaired Monday's debate.

He suggested strengthening situation awareness, emergency response and the emergency rescue capabilities of peacekeeping operations. The UN should scale up risk assessments in light of the actual situation of each mission, incorporate it into all aspects of the decision-making, and take effective measures, he said.

Zhao Ruinan in Beijing contributed to this story.