UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Under-Secretary-General Jean-Pierre Lacroix told the Security Council on Monday that the UN Police (UNPOL) are ready to meet the global challenges of peace, security and development.
Describing the Action for Peacekeeping Plus (A4P+) initiative, an upgraded version of Action for Peacekeeping initiative launched by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in 2018, as the UN's vehicle to strengthen peacekeeping, the UN peacekeeping chief said that through it, "we are better placed to address today's challenges to peace and security and, ultimately, to improve the lives of the people we serve."
Lacroix outlined some of the greatest challenges to global peace, security and development, which include expanding conflicts in high population areas, expansion of transnational organized crime and violent extremism.
He also highlighted growing climate and cyber insecurity risks and greater demand for comprehensive national capacity-building and police reform, saying there is an increasing need for "unique and specific policing responses."
"We must therefore work collectively to ensure the UNPOL are properly prepared, equipped and resourced to address them," he underscored.
Lacroix outlined a strategic direction for UN policing in serving and protecting people where "blue helmets" are stationed, beginning with Action for Peacekeeping, particularly in the areas prioritized within what the UN has designated as A4P+.
This includes "coherent political strategies" that deploy varied resources and leverage support to influence the political direction towards stability and good governance in countries with peacekeeping missions. ■
