CSCAP MEMORANDUM NO. 32
Enhancing Contributions from Asia Pacific Countries toUN Peacekeeping Operations

A Memorandum from theCouncil for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP)
March 2018

CSCAP MEMORANDUM NO. 32
STUDY GROUP ON ENHANCING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ASIA PACIFIC
COUNTRIES TO UN PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONSIntroduction
In line with the reforms in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), the UN
High-Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (HIPPO) report recommended anumber of reforms to enhance and strengthen UNPKO. These reforms and recentdevelopments in UNPKO contributions called for 4 essential shifts namely Primacy ofPolitics, Responsive Operations, Stronger Partnerships, Field-focused and Peoplecentred operations.
The Study Group (SG), Co-chaired by CSCAP Malaysia, CSCAP Korea and CSCAP
Cambodia focused on enhancing contribution from Asia Pacific countries with the viewto strengthen UNPKO by providing policy imperatives in matters concerning
contributions to UNPKO. The SG conducted three meetings namely in Seoul on 1112 November 2016, Kuala Lumpur on 18-19 May 2017, and Siem Reap on 20-21
November 2017.
Background
The SG took note of the regular Troop/Police Contributing Countries (TCCs/PCCs) toUNPKO and the ongoing effort by the UN and member states in strengthening
contributions. The 2015 UNPKO Summit in New York where Heads of States pledgedcommitments and the subsequent UN Chief of Police Summit 2016 in New York andthe 2016 Defense Ministerial meeting in London, where pledges were further
discussed.
In 2017, another Defense Ministerial meeting was held in Vancouver with the view tostrengthen planning and performance of UNPKO.
Findings
While the UN has provided a number of documents as reference to TCCs/PCCs in the
preparation and readiness of their pledges into the Peacekeeping Capability
Readiness System (PCRS), the SG identified several other supporting contributions
that could strengthen UNPKO namely staff at UNDPKO, scholastic pursuit,technological and logistics capacity.
Pursuant to the ongoing efforts to enhance military/police personnel and enablers from
Member States in the field mission through PCRS and the new Strategic Force
Generation and Capacity Planning Cell in DPKO, the SG recognized the importanceof the Member States responsibility to properly prepare their contribution for2

deployment and acknowledged the efforts of the UN in developing guidance andtraining materials to assist Member States. Experienced staff officers are equallyrequired in various fields of expertise as seconded personnel at UNDPKO. In addition
to the effort by Member States Peacekeeping Centers to build capability and capacity
to UNPKO, civilian-military centers, universities and think-tanks provide in depth
research on UNPKO policy matters to respective governments.
These researches include current thematic matters related to women andpeacekeeping, protection of civilians, Responsibility to Protect as stated in the World
Summit 2005, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) amongothers. Technological and logistics support are necessary for better performance inthe digital age and delivery to UNPKO respectively.
The SG recognizes that Asia Pacific countries, as members of the UN, have acommitment to peacekeeping, and should not leave these matters to just those
TCCs/PCCs which are regularly contributing to UNPKO. To this end, the SG noted therecent return of some European Union member states to UNPKO after a long hiatus.
This indicates that although there may be differences in the way UNPKO is perceived
in managing crises, member states are still willing to play a role in strengthening
UNPKO. This may provide Asia Pacific countries a renewed impetus in UNPKO. The
SG noted that emerging TCCs/PCCs could become more involved in PKO by
beginning with deployment of individual staff officers, military observers and police togain experience and build national capacity ahead of a larger contingent contribution.
It was noted that the high cost of peacekeeping contributions are actually offset by theUN reimbursement process so costs should not be a deterrence to enhancedcontributions.
UNPKO requires the mobilization of military, police and civilian assets for crisis
management but states need to prepare also for other contingencies such as natural
disasters, humanitarian emergencies or deterioration of the conflict in the mission area.
Recommendations
a. The SG deliberated on political will as essential to enhance contribution to UNPKO.
Thus, better information flow for evidence-based decision making is required.
There is a need to strengthen interpersonal relationships between Permanent
Missions of Member States and DPKO for better information flow including
strategic communication plans on all peacekeeping missions, keeping member
states Permanent Missions informed. Appropriate and relevant information would
contribute to foreign policy objectives and preparations of contributions by member
states.
b. Among the Asia Pacific countries, closer cooperation and collaboration regarding
strengthening UNPKO should be encouraged at all levels. Peacekeeping could be3enhanced through greater sharing of communication and capacity-building efforts
among the member states and the regional peacekeeping centers.
c. Whilst partnerships are being built between peacekeeping centers to enhancecapacity and capability for peacekeeping, civil-military and police centers,universities and think-tanks can build partnership for scholastic pursuit in providing
policy imperatives to guide commitment to UNPKO.
d. The role of women in peacekeeping has recently been emphasized and member
states should strengthen their contribution to UN Peacekeeping in this regard.
e. Member states should enhance the police and civilian contributions to UNPKO
where appropriate.
f. Member states should provide training on matters regarding protection of civilians
where appropriate.
g. UNPKO mission should also consider building civil and military (land and maritime)
capacity in conflict countries as part of the post-conflict plans as well as exitstrategies.
h. Member states should be aware and consider to use new UN peacekeeping
documents, e.g. Performance Peacekeeping, the new Military Unit Manuals
including manuals on UN Maritime Task Forces and UN Riverine Operations, tostrengthen their contribution to UNPKO.
i.

Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS) is a comprehensive platform
for member states to collaborate with one another on their commitments. PCRS
would enable more engagements among all stakeholders so as to enable thecontributions to be timely deployed with the assessed capabilities andcompetencies.

j.

Adaptability of contingents to deal with changes in missions (natural disasters,deteriorating humanitarian or conflict situation) will enhance Member States
contributions to UNPKOs.

All initiatives of the UN Secretariat on UN Peacekeeping should be taken underconsideration and approval by the Member States. We, CSCAP members, urge theUNDPKO to take this Study Group recommendations as a complement ongoing
efforts in strengthening the UN Peacekeeping Operations.

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ABOUT CSCAP
CSCAP is a non-governmental (second track) process for dialogue on security issues
in the Asia Pacific. Membership in CSCAP is on an institutional basis and consists ofMember Committees. Current membership comprises Australia, Brunei Darussalam,
Cambodia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Democratic People’s
Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar New Zealand,
the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the USA.
The functions of CSCAP are as follows:a. to provide an informal mechanism by which political and security issues can be
discussed by scholars, officials, and others in their private capacities;
b. to encourage the participants of such individuals from countries and territories
in the Asia Pacific on the basis of the principle of inclusiveness;c. to organise various working groups to address security issues and challenges
facing the region;d. to provide policy recommendations to various intergovernmental bodies onpolitical-security issues;e. to convene regional and international meetings and other cooperative activities
for the purpose of discussing political-security issues;
f. to establish linkages with institutions and organisations in other parts of theworld to exchange information, insights and experiences in the area of regional
political-security cooperation; andg. to produce and disseminate publications relevant to the other purposes of theorganisation.
Study Groups are the primary mechanism for CSCAP activity.
This memorandum was produced by the CSCAP Study Group on Maritime
Environmental Protection.
Further information on CSCAP can be obtained from the CSCAP website atwww.cscap.org or by contacting the CSCAP Secretariat:
CSCAP Secretariat
c/o ISIS Malaysia
1 Persiaran Sultan Salahuddin
PO Box 12424
50778 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
T: +603-2693 9366 Ext 125
F: +603-2693 9375
E: cscap@isis.org.my5

CSCAP Memoranda

CSCAP Memoranda are the outcome of the work of Study Groups approved by theSteering Committee and submitted for consideration by the ASEAN Regional Forumand other bodies.
 Memorandum No.31 – Enhancing Marine Environment Protection in the Asia-PacificRegion
Author: Study Group on Marine Environment Protection
Date published: March 2018
 Memorandum No.30 – Preventive Diplomacy: Promoting Prospects or Mediation
and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes in the Asia Pacific Region
Author: Study Group on Preventive Diplomacy
Date published: December 2017
 Memorandum No.29 – Harmonisation of Aeronautical and Maritime Search andRescue (SAR)
Author: Study Group on Harmonisation of Aeronautical and Maritime Search andRescue (SAR)
Date published: July 2017
 Memorandum No.28 – Energy Security in the Asia Pacific Region
Author: Study Group on Energy Security
Date published: June 2016
 Memorandum No.27 – Implementation of UNSCR 1540
Author: Study Group on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction in the Asia PacificDate published: April 2015
 Memorandum No.26 – Towards an Effective Regional Security Architecture for theAsia PacificAuthor: Study Group on Regional Security Architecture
Date published: June 2014
 Memorandum No.25 – Maritime CBMs, Trust and Managing Incidents at Sea Author:
Study Group on Principles for Good Order at Sea
Date published: June 2014
 Memorandum No.24 – Safety and Security of Vital Undersea Communications
Infrastructure
Author: Experts Group on Vital Undersea Communications Infrastructure
Date published: May 2014
 Memorandum No.23 – Enhancing Water Security in the Asia PacificAuthor: Study Group on Water Resources Security
Date published: January 20146 Memorandum No.22 – Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction
Author: Study Group on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction in the Asia PacificDate published: September 2012
 Memorandum No.21 – Implications of Naval Enhancement in the Asia PacificAuthor: Study Group on Naval Enhancement in the Asia PacificDate published: August 2012
 Memorandum No.20 – Ensuring A Safer Cyber Security Environment
Author: Study Group on Cyber Security
Date published: May 2012
 Memorandum No.19 – Reduction and Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
Author: Study Group on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction in the Asia PacificDate published: February 2012
 Memorandum No.18 – Implementing the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP)
Author: Study Group on the Responsibility to Protect (RtoP)
Date published: September 2011
 Memorandum No.17 – Promoting the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy
Author: Study Group on Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass
Destruction in the Asia PacificDate published: June 2011
 Memorandum No.16 – Safety and Security of Offshore Oil and Gas Installations
Author: Study Group on Safety and Security of Offshore Oil and Gas Installations
Date published: January 2011
 Memorandum No.15 – The Security Implications of Climate Change
Author: Study Group on the Security Implications of Climate Change
Date published: July 2010
 Memorandum No.14 – Guidelines for Managing Trade of Strategic Goods
Author: Export Controls Experts Group (XCXG)
Date published: March 2009
 Memorandum No.13 – Guidelines for Maritime Cooperation in Enclosed and SemiEnclosed Seas and Similar Sea Areas of the Asia PacificAuthor: Study Group on Facilitating Maritime Security Cooperation in the Asia PacificDate published: June 2008
 Memorandum No.12 – Maritime Knowledge and Awareness: Basic Foundations ofMaritime SecurityAuthor: Study Group on Facilitating Maritime Security Cooperation in the Asia PacificDate published: December 20077

 Memorandum No.11 – Human Trafficking
Author: Study Group on Human Trafficking
Date published: June 2007
 Memorandum No.10 – Enhancing Efforts to Address Factors Driving InternationalTerrorism
Author: Study Group on Enhancing the Effectiveness of the Campaign Against
International Terrorism with Specific Reference to the Asia Pacific RegionDate published: December 2005
 Memorandum No.9 – Trafficking of Firearms in the Asia Pacific Region
Author: Working Group on Transnational Crime
Date published: May 2004
 Memorandum No.8 – The Weakest Link? Seaborne Trade and the Maritime Regime
in the Asia PacificAuthor: Working Group on Maritime Cooperation
Date published: April 2004
 Memorandum No.7 – The Relationship Between Terrorism and Transnational Crime
Author: Working Group on Transnational Crime
Date published: July 2003
 Memorandum No.6 – The Practice of the Law of the Sea in the Asia PacificAuthor: Working Group on Maritime Cooperation
Date published: December 2002
 Memorandum No.5 – Cooperation for Law and Order at Sea
Author: Working Group on Maritime Cooperation
Date published: February 2001
 Memorandum No.4 – Guidelines for Regional Maritime Cooperation
Author: Working Group on Maritime Cooperation
Date published: December 1997
 Memorandum No.3 – The Concepts of Comprehensive Security and Cooperative
Security
Author: Working Group on Comprehensive and Cooperative Security
Date published: December 1995
 Memorandum No.2 – Asia Pacific Confidence and Security Building Measures
Author: Working Group on Confidence and Security Building Measures
Date published: June 1995
 Memorandum No.1 – The Security of the Asia Pacific Region
Author: CSCAP
Date published: April 1994

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