India was re-elected to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) for the 2025-2026 term.

• India’s current term on the Commission was expiring on December 31.

About UN Peacekeeping

• United Nations Peacekeeping is a mechanism/tool established by the United Nations (UN) to assist countries transitioning from conflict to peace. Blue Helmets/Blue Berets: The UN Peacekeepers are also called the Blue Helmets because the General Assembly resolution 167 (II) passed in 1947 approved light blue as the color for the United Nations flag.

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• Principles: UN Peacekeeping is guided by three basic principles:
  • Consent of the parties;
  • Impartiality;
  • Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate.
• Scope of Peacekeeping: Modern peacekeeping operations go beyond maintaining peace and security, but also focusing on:
  • facilitating political processes, protecting civilians, supporting disarmament and reintegration, organizing elections, and restoring human rights and the rule of law.
• Current Peacekeeping Operations: There are currently 11 UN peacekeeping operations deployed on three continents. Nobel Peace Prize: The UN Peacekeeping forces were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for their efforts in maintaining peace and preventing conflict in various regions. 

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About UN Peacebuilding Commission

• Establishment: The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) was jointly established by the General Assembly and the Security Council in 2005.
• Role: The PBC is an intergovernmental advisory body of the United Nations that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries.
  • It enhances the international community’s capacity for peacebuilding within a broad peace agenda.
• Composition: Composed of 31 Member States elected from the UN General Assembly, Security Council, and Economic and Social Council.
  • Includes top financial and troop-contributing countries to the UN system.
• Key Objectives:
  • Brings together relevant actors to marshal resources for post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery. Advises on integrated strategies for reconstruction, institution-building, and sustainable development.
• Responsibilities:
  • Focuses attention on recovery efforts after conflict.
  • Promotes predictable financing for early recovery activities.
  • Extends the international community’s focus on post-conflict recovery.
  • Provides recommendations and information to improve coordination among all actors.
• Strategic Approach:
  • Advocates for an integrated, strategic, and coherent peacebuilding framework.
  • Emphasizes the interlinkages between security, development, and human rights.
  • Acts as a bridge among UN organs, offering advice on peacebuilding needs and priorities.
• Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO): Administers the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).
  • Assists the UN Secretary-General in coordinating peacebuilding activities.

India’s Contributions to UN Peacekeeping

• Founding Member: India is a founding member of the PBC.
• Advocacy for Sustainable Peacebuilding: As a significant contributor to UN Peacekeeping, India remains committed to global peace and stability.
  • India emphasizes the importance of inclusive development, capacity building, and local ownership in peacebuilding processes. 
  • It has also championed South-South cooperation as a model for post-conflict recovery.
• Contribution of Uniformed Personnel to UN: India is one of the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations.
  • More than 200,000 Indians have served in 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions established around the world since 1948.
  • Approximately 6,000 Indian military and police personnel are deployed across missions in Abyei, the Central African Republic, Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lebanon, the Middle East, Somalia, South Sudan, and Western Sahara.
  • Nearly 180 Indian peacekeepers have lost their lives in the line of duty, the highest number from any troop-contributing country.
• Financial Contributions: India has contributed financially to the Peacebuilding Fund, which supports countries transitioning from conflict to peace.
• Indian Women in the UN peacekeeping initiatives: India has a long tradition of sending women on UN peacekeeping missions.
  • In 2007, India became the first country to deploy an all-women contingent to a UN peacekeeping mission. 
  • India displayed a strong commitment to gender parity by deploying Female Engagement Teams (FETs) and Female Formed Police Units (FFPUs) to countries like Lebanon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • India has also deployed women military police in Golan Heights and women Staff Officers/ Military Observers in various missions. 
• Capacity Development of UN: India has been at the forefront of capacity development for the UN, host nations and partner nations. 
  • Example: India has provided active support for host nation capacity development by providing training, infrastructure development and Civil Military Coordination (CIMIC) activities.
• Established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK): The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations. 
  • This Centre trains more than 12,000 troops every year. 
  • CUNPK undertakes a multitude of activities from contingent training to national and international courses for potential peacekeepers and trainers. 
  • It also hosts foreign delegations as part of sharing best practices.
  • The Centre regularly dispatches Mobile Training Teams to Friendly Foreign Countries as part of capacity building in the field of UN peacekeeping training. 
• India Pledges: During the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held at Accra, Ghana on 05-06 December 2023, India has pledged:
  • an Infantry Battalion Group, various sub-groups, UN Pre-Deployment Training of Trainers Course and UN Military Observers Course for the next two years, to meet the requirements of the UN.

Significance of India’s Re-Election to UN Peacebuilding Commission

• Strategic Role in UN Peacekeeping: India’s re-election highlights its ongoing active role in global peace and security efforts, further solidifying its position as a key player in international diplomacy.
  • This also reinforces India’s soft power.
• Support for Local Initiatives: India’s role in the PBC promotes the inclusion of local voices and solutions, ensuring that community-driven peacebuilding efforts are integrated alongside international strategies.
  • Example:  India has advocated for increased local involvement in peacebuilding in South Sudan
• Shape Global Peacebuilding Policies: India can leverage its membership to influence policies emphasizing conflict prevention, economic reconstruction, and resilience-building in post-conflict societies.
• Advocate for a Permanent seat in the UN Security Council: India’s reelection to the UNPBC strengthens its bid for a more significant role in global governance, including a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

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Challenges of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture

• Resource Gaps and Funding Constraints: One of the major limitations is the insufficient and unpredictable funding for peacebuilding initiatives. 
  • The Peacebuilding Fund, while critical, often struggles with limited resources, which hampers the timely and effective implementation of peacebuilding programs.
• Neglect of Local Needs: Local peacebuilding groups report that the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) often prioritizes larger, high-visibility projects led by international NGOs and government partners.
  • This approach overlooks the priorities and needs of communities directly affected by conflict.
• Insufficient Representation in the UNSC: The effectiveness of the UN Security Council (UNSC) is hindered by its lack of adequate representation, particularly the absence of Africa.
  • This underrepresentation limits the UNSC’s ability in global peace and security matters.
• Over-reliance on International Actors: The peacebuilding process is often driven by large international organizations, leaving local actors with minimal involvement. 
  • Local actors are often excluded from the design and implementation of initiatives.
• Operational Challenges: The UN lacks a Permanent Military and Police Force.
  • Swift mobilisation of military and police personnel from its member states for field missions is a challenging task.
• Political Challenges: The UN’s mandate to act in conflict zones is sometimes limited by geopolitical interests and local power structures, which can obstruct progress.
• Limited Impact on Systemic Issues: While the UN’s peacebuilding architecture focuses on post-conflict recovery, it often struggles to address underlying systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and governance deficits, which contribute to the recurrence of conflict.

Way Forward

• Reforms in the UN Security Council: Reforming the UN Security Council is crucial to ensure more representation and effectiveness in addressing global challenges. 
  • Example: Increasing the number of permanent members in the United Nation Security Council.
• Strengthen Local Ownership and Participation:Empower local communities by making peacebuilding initiatives community-driven and simplifying funding access for grassroots organizations.
  • Example: Collaboration with local NGOs can be increased.
• Improved Coordination Across UN Entities: Foster better collaboration among UN agencies to ensure a cohesive approach to peacebuilding, addressing security, development, and human rights.
  • Example: Training peacekeepers in hybrid warfare and non traditional warfare tactics.
• Strengthen Conflict Prevention Mechanisms: Example: Improving intelligence gathering, boosting diplomatic efforts by expanding the role of special envoys.
• Ensure Adequate Funding: Provide adequate resources to the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO).
• Ensure Greater Political Will and Leadership:
  Secure strong political support from national governments and international stakeholders to back peacebuilding efforts.

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Conclusion

Amid rising conflicts, terrorism, humanitarian crises, and new global threats, there is a need for a more robust and efficient UN peace and security system.

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