A UN official warns of the increasing proliferation of mines and the escalating challenges facing peacekeepers

Lacroix was speaking at a press conference in Geneva, giving the example of the situation in Afghanistan, where “One person is killed every day on average because of mines, and the victim is often a child.”.

He pointed to limited resources and financial constraints, stressing that mine-related activities are a joint collective effort that is carried out in cooperation with other partners within the United Nations system, as well as with non-governmental organizations and member states.

The role of peacekeepers

Lacroix also spoke about peacekeeping, saying: “Our peacekeeping forces are making a real and tangible difference on the ground, and they are performing their tasks in an environment that is becoming more dangerous day by day.”.

He recalled what had happened over the past two weeks when she had gone missing United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) Five of its soldiers; Three from Indonesia and two from France.

He renewed his condolences to France and Indonesia and to the families of the peacekeepers who died, adding that these incidents constitute “An embodiment of the dangerous environment in which peacekeepers work.”.

The UN official provided examples of what UN peacekeepers are doing on the ground, and“The positive difference they make”.

And talk about United Nations peacekeeping force in Cyprus Which he recently visited, saying that the peacekeepers there have been successfully implementing their mandate for more than fifty years, which is to ensure the maintenance of the ceasefire on the island.

He gave another example of what you are doing United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) in protecting civilians.

Different challenges

The Under-Secretary-General pointed to the political challenges represented by the division of the international community, saying: “This is not in our interest, nor does it serve the political efforts that we support through peacekeeping operations.”.

He also pointed to the operational challenges resulting from an increasingly dangerous security environment, the spread of myths and misinformation, and the emergence of new forms of threats fueled by modern technologies.

Lacroix said that they are also facing a financial challenge resulting from the shrinking budget, and the failure of member states to pay all the contributions assessed to them to finance peacekeeping operations, or to pay those contributions only partially.