VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Government of Indonesia is underscoring the theme of the UN peacekeeping operation as it takes up the chairmanship of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in May 2019.

Director of International Security and Disarmament (KIPS) of the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry Grata Endah Werdaningtyas made the statement during a press briefing in Jakarta onThursday.

With Indonesia holding presidency of the UNSC in May 2019, the government will put the spotlight on the theme of "Investing in Peace: Improving the Security and Performance of UN Peacekeeping."

Werdaningtyas explained that the Indonesian government decided on the theme owing to the importance it places on UN peacekeeping operations as a major plank in its efforts to maintain and promote global peace and security.

"This is because the fact is, regardless of it being accepted or not, the UN peace mission continues to be the most potent tool of the UN Security Council in its endeavors to contributing to global peace. When one looks at conflict-affected nations, the UN's 'blue helmet' (indicative of the UN peace mission forces) is what stands out the most," he pointed out.

The Indonesian government's greater lineage to the theme focusing on the UN peace operation is in accordance with Indonesia's credentials and capabilities to facilitate the UN peace mission operation.

"We also zeroed down on the theme based on our own track record. Indonesia has the capital to bring the spotlight on this issue since we are among the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping force," Werdaningtyas noted.

Indonesia was the eighth-largest of 124 nations in terms of peacekeeping contributions, through the assignment of personnel for UN peacekeeping missions.

"This is part of our pledge to take forward the vision of four thousand UN peacekeeping personnel. We have fielded 3,028 personnel, and this month, we have dispatched over 100 women peacekeepers, which is the first of its kind for us," Werdaningtyas noted.

The Indonesian government's sustained efforts to encourage an increase in the role of women in the UN peacekeeping missions are aligned with the UN secretary general's initiative to step up their presence and participation in endeavors directed at maintaining global peace and security.  (ant)