Statement by

H.E. Ambassador Onon Sodov,

Deputy Head of Mongolian Delegation

to the 64th Session of the UN General Assembly

At the Special Political and Decolonization Committee under agenda item 33

"Comprehensive review of the whole question

of Peacekeeping operations in all their aspects"

Mr. Chairman,

In the beginning, on behalf of the Mongolian Delegation, I would like to congratulate you and members of the Bureau for your election to lead the Committee's proceedings at this 64th session of the General Assembly and assure you on our cooperation and support. I also would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Alain Le Roy and Ms. Susana Malcorra for their incisive presentations and interaction with Member States before this Committee.

My delegation associates itself with the statement made by distinguished delegation of the Kingdom of Morocco on behalf of Non-Allied Movement.

Mr. Chairman,

Agenda item 33 is of particular interest of my delegation, due to the fact that Mongolia is a fast emerging troop contributor with strong commitments toward the UN peacekeeping and shared views that UN peacekeeping is a key instrument of the UN efforts to maintain international peace and security, the primary goal of the UN. With ongoing deployment of an infantry battalion Mongolia will become one of the top 20 TCCs providing troops and specialists to the most challenging UN missions in Congo, Sudan and Chad.

Mr. Chairman,

The year of 2010 will commemorate the 10th anniversary of renowned Brahimi Report, which brought groundbreaking recommendations to improve UN peacekeeping. Actions taken by the UN along with the recommendations enhanced peacekeeping in all its dimensions allowing current surge of the operations enabling the UN sustain peace saving millions of human lives. In 10 years world has changed and new realities demand new approaches. In this regard my delegation welcomes joint DPKO and DFS "New Horizon" initiative encouraging Member States and relevant institutions to share their views on charting future of the UN peacekeeping and expresses its desire that the informal exchange process will soon become a solid foundation for the new official strategy with shared, clear and achievable goals.

Complexities of mission mandates are increasing noticeably embracing new tasks that require more swift and robust actions with employment of additional resources. My delegation reiterates its view that mission's new mandates should be issued after they are indoctrinated, translated into clear guidelines and handful training modules but not vice versa. We encourage the UN peacekeeping community to be very careful on current pursuit for robustness of the mission mandates that it will not hinder basic principles of the UN Peacekeeping, namely the consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use of force expect in self-defense.

Mr. Chairman,

The Safety and Security of UN personnel in the field, particularly those who deployed in difficult zones, is in our utmost interest. My delegation reiterate our view that the best assurance against risks is a carefully mandated and thoroughly planned mission deployed in conducive environment with sufficient resources. Troop contributing countries should be involved in planning process at the earliest possible time to bring its own experience, to gain necessary information to be prepared for reducing the risks of future deployment. My delegation reiterates the importance of recognition by the C-34 of the benefits of reconnaissance visits by TCC before presenting their pledge to those missions. Frequent and substantive interaction among the Security Council, the Secretariat and TCCs to be key successful implementation of the future missions.

My delegation reconfirms Mongolia's commitment to zero tolerance policy on all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers and welcomes the Revised Draft Model MOU adopted by the General Assembly. While troop contributing countries bear the primary responsibility for maintaining discipline in the contingents my delegation stresses the importance that UN should take further steps to keep and restore, where it is necessary, the image and credibility of UN Peacekeeper.

Mongolia welcomes a continued effort of the UNDPKO to develop a comprehensive strategy to increase the participation of women in peacekeeping operations and supports its implementation deploying female military observer to MINURSO and squad of female specialists within its contingent in Sierra Leone. Mongolia encourages TCC to deploy more female peacekeepers to the field missions due to their aptitude to improve internal environment in the contingents.

My delegation reaffirms the importance that all personnel deploying to the field missions have the sufficient degree of training and expertise, bearing in mind that training is key element to reduce redundant risks while on duty. We welcome the establishment of Operational Advisory Team, within DPKO, to provide required advise on training for mission specific issues and encourage the Secretariat to facilitate cooperation between Member States on training, through exchange of information on training facilities and various training programs that at disposal of different TCCs with aim on promoting regional cooperation.

In conclusion, I would like to pay tribute to all peacekeepers military, police and civilians who sacrifice for the cause of peace and express my hope that deliberations of the Committee will help the Peacekeeping community to successfully overcome facing challenges.

I thank you.