Country: Canada

Committee: General Assembly 4(SPECPOL)

Delegate: Himanshu Katwal
Agenda: A comprehensive review of the questions of peacekeeping operations as
well as a review of special political missions

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UN peacekeeping operations are an important instrument for maintaining world peace and
security. Canada supports UN peacekeeping operations in fully fulfilling their mandates on
the basis of the Hammarskjöld principles of “consent of the parties, impartiality and non-use
of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate”. In the meantime, we support UN
peacekeeping operations in keeping pace with the times through reasonable and necessary
reform and innovation.
In nearly 50 conflict zones around the world, someone and half a billion people live under the
threat of violence. Peacekeeping has become a major instrument to deter violence and
conflict since World War II. As a founding member of the United Nations, Canada is
committed to guidance provided in UN Charter to maintain international peace and cultural
or humanitarian character, and in promoting respect for human rights.
In 1948 the UN authorized the dispatch of military observers to disputed Pakistan- India
region of Kashmir which was known as United Nations Military Observer Group for India
and Pakistan (UNTSO). The same action was taken the following month along the Arab
Israeli borders (Palestine). In theory, military observers would serve as impartial mediators
by watching the movements of warring armies, supervising ceasefires and protecting local
civilians. Canada provided eight officers for the UN force in Kashmir. After 1953, Canada
also sent four officers to the force in Palestine, including Major-General Eedson Louis
Millard Burns, who took command of the UN force there in February 1954.
When the Suez Crisis arose in 1956, Canada eagerly seized the opportunity for UNEF. The
UN became involved when Britain and France co-operated with Israel in an assault on Egypt.
Canada wanted to minimize the harm done to the Western alliance by the Anglo-French
aggression in response to a growing Arab nationalist fervour. Lester Pearson at this time was
Canada's secretary of state for External Affairs. Working with UN Secretary-General Dag
Hammarskjöld, Pearson produced the idea of a peacekeeping force to stabilize the situation
and to permit the withdrawal of the attacking forces. To help the effort, Pearson offered a
battalion of Canadian troops – and the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) came into
being quickly, under the command of Canadian Major-General E.L.M. Burn.
The delegate of Canada believes that as a nation ,Canada has always led- not with the number
of battalions that are in the field, but with innovative solutions to the problems presented by
the conflicts of the day. From Canada’s creeping barrage that broke the intractable deadlock
of trench warfare in World War I to the world’s first peacekeeping mission deployed at the
onset of the Cold War era, Canada has always been promoting peace and security in the
world and will continue to play an important role by contributing high-end -capabilities and
specialized training.
Canada is actively engaged with the UN and pledging a range of specialized military
capabilities that are in high demand for UN peace operations. In August 2016, Canada
pledged up to 600 Canadian Armed Forces personnel for possible deployment to UN peace
operations. Canada has also made a new pledge to develop and implement innovative training
for peace operations. The Canadian Armed Forces will help enhance the overall effectiveness
of UN operations, including through support for the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace
Operations. Through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, Canada is investing
$24 million in new projects to modernize and enhance peace operations, better prevent and
address conflict, and build sustainable peace. Our support is designed to advance gender
equality and women’s empowerment. The Canadian Armed Forces will make the following
military capabilities available to support this pledge:
 Tactical airlift support for up to 12 months to help the UN address critical gaps
around being able to transport troops, equipment, supplies, and food to support
ongoing missions and the rapid deployment of UN forces;
 An Aviation Task Force of medium utility and armed helicopters for up to 12 months;
 A Quick Reaction Force that includes approximately 200 personnel and
accompanying equipment.
Therefore, Canada will follow through on its pledges and measures, and continue with its
active and deep involvement in UN peacekeeping operations in order to safeguard world
peace and security