7 November 2025

• Safeguarding the valuable experiences and lessons of more than 75 years of peace operations and moving forward with new models requires courage, wisdom, trust and leadership among all stakeholders – international, regional, national and local.
• Shared responsibility and accountability are key. This applies to UN peace operations, the Security Council, Member States and host Governments and populations and requires deeper and more strategic engagement.
• In future configurations, especially when they involve ad hoc operations and coalitions, it will be essential to minimise fragmentation among different actors. This is especially true when it comes to protection, which requires a holistic approach. Here, the UN brings unmatched added value as a convener and coordinator of all stakeholders.
• Overall, decisions should be driven by political considerations and strategic cohesion. Partnerships are increasingly important. They are likely to entail a measure of division of labour but will be most effective when partners speak with one voice.
• Even though peace operations are contracting at present, future operations will also need to prepare as new or different mandated areas come into focus, such as in the areas of transnational organised crime, counterterrorism, climate and environmental security, and hybrid threats and cybersecurity.
• New models and shifts in mandated tasks require adaptable training systems, as well as training partnerships.