APCML AT CHALLENGES OF PEACE OPERATIONS REPORT PRESENTATION, UN HQ, NEW YORK
19 January 2006

APCML Deputy Director LTCOL Geoff Cameron CSC and Associate Director Bruce Oswald CSC, represented the APCML at the presentation of the multi-national report Meeting the Challenges of Peace Operations: Cooperation and Coordination to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. COL Michael Kelly AM, former APCML Deputy Director, also attended in his capacity of Director, UN and Peace Operations, International Policy Division, Department of Defence. The report is the culmination of the Challenges Project Phase II for which the APCML has been the designated Australian partner organisation. The formal handover ceremony was held at UN HQ New York on 19th January 2006 and was attended by ambassadors and representatives of partner organisations from many countries, international organisations and military training institutions.

The proceedings were hosted and co-ordinated by the Swedish delegation, notably the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Laila Freivalds and the Director-General of the Folke Bernadotte Academy Ambassador Michael Sahlin. In acknowledging the report, the UN Secretary-General noted that in recent times the UN's peace operations have grown significantly in scope and number. He noted that the need for new thinking with respect to such missions is clear. Both he and Foreign Minister Freivalds noted the APCML's contribution as a partner organisation to the Challenges Project and to the concluding report.

The UN Secretary-General stated that the UN Secretariat will carefully review the Report's recommendations and urged project partners to share the Report's findings and recommendations as widely as possible. Partner organisations have agreed to promulgate and implement the recommendations to the extent that they are able.

The Report provides practical guidance and recommendations for meeting current and future security challenges and for the planning and conduct of complex peace operations. It provides a truly global perspective and focusses on three main areas concerning peace operations, namely:
(1) regional capacity building and co-operation between the UN and regional organisations
(2) strengthening the rule of law in the planning for the conduct of peace operations and post-conflict situations, and
(3) improving training and education of contributing forces.

The Report will provide a valuable contribution to the promotion of respect for and implementation of the rule of law consistent with the Charter of the APCML.

The formal proceedings were followed by an afternoon session which focussed on the three thematic topics within the Report. The Rule of Law discussion was led by COL Mike Kelly who was a significant contributor to the Rule of Law chapter within the Report.

Challenges Project partner organisations participated in follow-on meetings in order to decide the way ahead for the Project. It was agreed that the Challenges Project is an extremely worthwhile activity in focussing on contemporary issues impacting on peace operations.