Resources

Counterterrorism in disguise? Does a shift towards 'peace enforcement' spell a death knell for UN peacekeeping?

Openings for Biden in the inaugural US-Central Asia Summit at UNGA

Civil society perspectives for the new UN Agenda for Peace

In March 2023, Saferworld, Interpeace, Life & Peace Institute and Humanity United hosted a consultation event for civil society peacebuilding organisations to input their experiences and perspectives into the New Agenda for Peace process. This outcome report was submitted to the UN interdepartmental team for the New Agenda for Peace.

Starting bell rings for UN counter-terrorism negotiations with big questions unanswered

The UN just released the biannual report on the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. But while the report touches on the right issues, it does not fully address important questions concerning oversight, impact and effectiveness, and the role of technology in UN counter-terrorism operations.

Joint statement: UN should ensure independent oversight of UN Counter-Terrorism architecture

Joint statement on the critical need for UN Member States and Secretary-General to use a new UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy to develop an independent oversight mechanism to assess and mitigate harm from counterterrorism measures.

How can Member States improve the UN’s Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy?

The United Nations secretary-general made public last week his report on the Activities of the United Nations system in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This marks the start of three months of negotiations over an updated UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. Many hoped the secretary-general’s report would offer a robust call for much-needed changes.

If the US wants to push back on authoritarian agendas at the UN, get counter-terrorism right

Biden administration officials have made clear that ending endless wars, revitalizing American diplomacy and multilateral leadership, and defending against authoritarianism are central to their vision for U.S. foreign policy. What would that vision look like translated into bold U.S. leadership at the United Nations?

Incompatible Bedfellows: UN Peace Operations and Counter-terrorism

Predictions of the demise of United Nations peacekeeping have so far been premature. The world is adrift in a sea of volatility. Current trends – including rising conflict, authoritarianism, and heavy-handed security practices – mean there will be plenty of “peace” for UN operations to keep in the next decade.

Why UN peacekeeping operations must not become counter-terrorism missions

Increased pressure on UN peacekeeping operations to engage in counter-terrorism risk bogging down blue helmets in unwinnable wars and destroying their claim to impartiality in the process. This short-term thinking could change UN peacekeeping as we know it.