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Foreign Policy Watch: United Nations

UN to cut 25% of its global Peacekeeping Force   

IOCR | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Important International Institutions

Why in the News?

The UN will cut peacekeeping personnel by 25% across nine missions after U.S. funding dropped from $1 billion to $680 million under President Trump’s “America First” policy.

US and Peacekeeping Funding Dynamics:

  • The US and China together contribute nearly 50% of the UN’s peacekeeping budget.
  • The U.S. outlined its new commitment of $680 million, marking a 32% decrease from last year’s payment.
  • A senior UN official confirmed that China has pledged to pay its full contribution by the end of 2025, offsetting some of the financial shortfall.

Implications of Funding Cut:

  • The withdrawal of peacekeepers will leave several fragile regions exposed to renewed instability, especially in Africa and the Middle East.
  • The cuts signal a shift toward selective, donor-driven peacekeeping, prioritising geopolitical interests over collective international responsibility.
  • For the UN, the challenge lies in maintaining operational credibility and protecting civilian populations amid reduced resources.

About the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission:

  • Overview: UN Peacekeeping is a collective international mechanism established to maintain peace and security in conflict-affected regions under the leadership of the United Nations.
  • Personnel: Peacekeepers, known as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets, include military, police, and civilian members from contributing nations.
  • Origin: The idea arose after World War II with the formation of the UN in 1945, marking a new era in global conflict resolution.
  • First Mission (1948): The United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) was deployed after the Arab–Israeli War to monitor ceasefires, setting the template for future operations.
  • Evolution: Over time, missions expanded to cover civil wars, humanitarian crises, and post-conflict reconstruction across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
  • Core Principles:
    1. Consent of the Parties
    2. Impartiality
    3. Non-use of Force (except in self-defence or mandate defence)
  • Deployment: Missions require the consent of key conflict parties and are authorised by the UN Security Council.
  • Functions: Include monitoring ceasefires, disarmament, protection of civilians, humanitarian assistance, promotion of human rights, and support for democratic governance.
  • Finance: United States (26.95%)> China (18.69%)> Japan (8.03%) > Germany (6.11%) > United Kingdom (5.36%) > France (5.29%).
  • India’s Contribution:
    • Major Contributor: India ranks among the largest troop contributors since the inception of UN peacekeeping.
    • Participation Record: Contributed over 1.95 lakh troops, served in 49 missions, and made 168 supreme sacrifices in service.
[UPSC 2024] Consider the following pairs:
Country Reason for being in the news
1. Argentina: Worst economic crisis
2. Sudan: War between the country’s regular army and
paramilitary forces
3. Turkey: Rescinded its membership of NATO
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs* (c) All three pairs (d) None of the pairs

 

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