Standing Between Conflict and Hope: Time to Equip UN Peacekeepers for Tomorrow’s Challenges
Joint Op-ed by Ambassador Khaled El Bakly, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs for Multilateral & International Security Affairs
Elena Panova, UN Egypt Resident Coordinator
As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the legacy of UN peacekeeping shines as a powerful symbol of multilateral cooperation. For almost eight decades, the service and sacrifice of the “Blue Helmets” have made a difference—helping nations progress from war to peace.
Today, over 76,000 civilian, military, and police personnel serve in 11 missions worldwide—from Cyprus and Lebanon to the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These men and women are a life-line for millions living amidst fragile politics and security.
Given increasingly complex challenges, it’s crucial to rethink the role of peacekeeping within the broader international peace and security system. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has rightly stressed that “peacekeeping—while a vital tool of the international community—should not be viewed as the sole means of maintaining peace.” He further emphasized it “cannot substitute preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding, or the political, economic, and social measures necessary to address root causes and mend societal fractures.” Peacekeeping must not become the default or first answer to every crisis.
This year’s International Day of UN Peacekeepers comes under the fitting theme “The Future of Peacekeeping.” The challenges are mounting: conflicts are longer, more deadly, and increasingly intertwined with terrorism, organized crime, cyberwarfare, and misinformation. Technology is weaponized, and climate change deepens instability in already fragile places. Meanwhile, deadlocks within the UN Security Council have made consensus more difficult—slowing action, just when urgency is needed most.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted a stark reality: “Trust is in short supply among—and within—countries and regions… This is a grim diagnosis, but we must face facts.” A growing mismatch exists between the ambitious goals set out for peacekeepers and the inadequate resources provided, undermining their effectiveness and sometimes leaving them where there is “little or no peace to keep.”
However, there is hope. The Pact for the Future, adopted at the 2024 Summit of the Future, affirms that peace operations must be backed by political will and inclusive approaches to tackle the roots of conflict—supported by predictable, adequate, and sustained financing. It prompts a comprehensive review of UN peace operations: a chance to modernize and reform the peacekeeping model so today’s missions have the right partnerships, tools, and strategies to protect civilians and promote lasting peace.
Egypt has long shown unwavering commitment to UN peacekeeping, with 65 years of participation. Since its first mission in the Congo in 1960, more than 30,000 Egyptians have served in 37 missions across 24 countries. Today, Egypt has 1,205 peacekeepers—including women—active in five African missions.
Egypt’s leadership extends beyond troops: it actively shapes policy, advocating effective, context-driven, and inclusive peacekeeping. The Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Peacebuilding (CCCPA)—an African Union Center of Excellence—emphasizes prevention, civilian protection, regional partnerships, and women’s participation, in line with the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Through the annual Aswan Forum, Egypt champions African-led solutions and stronger peacekeeping-peacebuilding ties. Training international peacekeepers is another keystone, with Egypt’s Interior Ministry and Defense Ministry providing specialized facilities.
As a key supporter of the UN Secretary-General’s Action for Peacekeeping (A4P), Egypt hosted the landmark 2018 high-level international conference that created the “Cairo Roadmap for Peacekeeping Operations”—a practical framework adopted by the African Union.
Every year, we remember the 4,430 peacekeepers worldwide who have lost their lives for peace—including over 60 Egyptians. Their sacrifice reminds us to go beyond remembrance: to equip peacekeepers with the tools, training, and support they need.
At the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin, Egypt reasserted its strong leadership by pledging advanced deployments, officer training, gender parity, technology integration, and more. Egypt is also ready to support the UN80 initiative—offering to host UN agencies, help streamline expenses, and bolster the UN’s physical presence in facing financial challenges.
Strategically, Egypt is at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East—making it an ideal hub for diplomacy, peacekeeping, and humanitarian response. With direct sea access through the Suez Canal, modern airports, proximity to crisis zones, a concentration of embassies, the seat of the League of Arab States, and proven safety, Egypt is central to global peace efforts.
As Secretary-General Guterres observed: “Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations—and the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges.” With determined reform, bold resources, and a renewed multilateral spirit, UN peacekeepers—together with countries like Egypt—can remain a source of stability and hope for a troubled world.
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