Peacekeeping: United Nations Role Sharing

Efforts of the United States, Canada and others to strengthen the UN's competence to manage complex peace operations have borne fruit. The UN peacekeeping infrastructure has been strengthened through reorganization and the addition of highly qualified personnel. The Secretariat has enhanced its management capabilities. However, proliferating conflict situations, financial stringencies, the reluctance of some UN members, and competing interests within the UN impede reform. Despite improved oversight capacities, the Security Council has indicated that it intends to be cautious in authorizing new peacekeeping operations, especially when cease-fire agreements by disputants are absent. As a result, major UN peace operations are less likely in the foreseeable future. UN Secretariat emphasis will be closer coordination between itself and humanitarian assistance agencies assisting war-ravaged nation-states, as well as shoring up ties with regional groups who assume increased peacekeeping roles.