UN General Assembly
2011

the General Assembly and the Security Council to be of the utmost importance, and we believe that the Council should be more effective and more representative. In the context of United Nations reform, we need change; we need to see Brazil and India given permanent seats on the Council, and Africa should also be included in this enlargement. In this ever-changing world, the indispensable role of the United Nations is reflected in the tireless and courageous work of thousands of its staff members and collaborators. Men and women in military and police uniforms play a fundamental role in peace operations to protect civilians, prevent the escalation of conflict and create the necessary space and time for political negotiations to bear fruit. The Portuguese are deeply proud of participating in this common effort. Our presence in the field represents one of our main contributions to the functioning of an effective multilateralism. Portuguese Blue Helmets are deployed in Timor-Leste and Lebanon, and make up one of the largest European contingents in United Nations peacekeeping operations. They are highly professional military and