Resolution Expressing the Full Support of the Senate to the Review of Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political Missions Conducted by the United Nations in Light of Changes in the Geopolitical Landscape and Risks Faced by United Nations International Missions

January 21, 2015

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 069-15

RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE SENATE TO THE REVIEW OF PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS AND SPECIAL POLITICAL MISSIONS CONDUCTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS IN LIGHT OF CHANGES IN THE GEOPOLITICAL LANDSCAPE AND RISKS FACED BY UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS

WHEREAS, on 31 October 2014, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the creation of a High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, which will review the peacekeeping and special political missions conducted by the international organization in light of new challenges in the conduct of these operations;

WHEREAS, this High Level Panel shall be chaired by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Jose Ramos-Horta (Timor-Leste) composed of thirteen (13) other members namely, Jean Arnault (France); Abhijit Guha (India); Ameerah Haq (Bangladesh); Andrew Hughes (Australia); Alexander Ilitchev (Russia); Hilde F. Johnson (Norway); Bruce Jones (Canada); Youssef Mahmoud (Tunisia); Ian Martin (United Kingdom); Henrietta Joy Abena Nyarko Mensa-Bonsu (Ghana); B. Lynn Pascoe (US); Floriano Peixoto Vieira Neto (Brazil); and Wang Xuexian (China). They shall be tasked to conduct a major external review of peace operations, and their findings shall be taken up for consideration by the UN General Assembly at its 2015 General Debate;

WHEREAS, among the broad range of issues to be covered by the review are the following: the changing nature of conflict, evolving mandates, peace building challenges, managerial and administrative arrangements, planning, partnerships, human rights and protection of civilians, uniformed capabilities for peacekeeping operations and performance, thus the highly-diverse membership of its Panel;

WHEREAS, this comprehensive assessment is both relevant and timely given the challenges experienced by Philippine peacekeepers during the conduct of its mission at Golan Heights in Syria in August 2014 when they were forced to defend themselves against Syrian rebels and reposition to avoid further harm; IcaHTA

WHEREAS, despite the eruption of civil war within Syria in 2011, the Philippines, along with only six other countries such as Fiji, India, Ireland, Nepal and the Netherlands, has remained in order to maintain order in Golan Heights as an area of separation and de-escalation of conflict between Syria and Israel;

WHEREAS, being a founding Member-State of the United Nations and in keeping with its obligations to the international community, the Philippines has at various times deployed peacekeepers to war-torn areas like Korea, Congo, Afghanistan, Burundi, Cambodia, Cote d'Ivoire, Darfur, Georgia, Haiti, Iraq, Liberia, Kosovo, Nepal, Sudan and Timor Leste: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, as it is hereby resolved, To express the full support of the Senate to the review of peacekeeping operations and special political missions conducted by the United Nations in light of changes in the geopolitical landscape and risks faced by United Nations international missions.

Adopted,

 

(SGD.) FRANKLIN M. DRILONPresident of the Senate

This Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 21, 2015.

 

(SGD.) OSCAR G. YABESSecretary of the Senate