New Delhi: The United Service Institution of India (USI), the nation’s oldest think-tank founded in 1870 for research and discourse on national security and military affairs, recently concluded its Annual UN Forum 2023. The forum, which focused on ‘International Humanitarian Law & Peacekeeping,’ took place on November 21-22, 2023, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Centre for UN Peacekeeping Operations.
With contemporary UN peacekeeping missions facing challenges in volatile environments marked by asymmetric warfare, the forum addressed the critical need for adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles. The complexity of modern conflicts, actions by non-state actors, and blurred lines between combatants and civilians in urban battlespaces make the application of IHL norms challenging.
Throughout the event, participants engaged in discussions on the applicability and limitations of implementing IHL frameworks in UN peace operations through an interactive, multi-stakeholder approach. Sessions delved into contemporary issues such as the protection of civilians, accountability for crimes against peacekeepers, the role of women in peacekeeping operations, and leveraging technology for more effective operations.
Insights from both academicians and practitioners with first-hand experience of peacekeeping challenges were shared during the forum. Keynote addresses were delivered by senior officials from the Indian Armed Forces and the Ministry of External Affairs. The two-day event featured the following sessions:
Session 1: Application of IHL principles to peacekeeping in situations involving non-state actors and urban warfare. Session 2: Analysis of constraints to the protection of civilian mandates and strategies for integrating IHL norms. Session 3: Examination of legal frameworks to ensure accountability when peacekeepers are targeted, and measures to enhance their protection. Session 4: Focus on the importance of gender-inclusive peacekeeping and challenges for women peacekeepers. Session 5: Discussion on utilizing technology for more effective peacekeeping through data analytics, AI, and advanced surveillance.
The forum concluded with a plenary session aimed at consolidating takeaways for peacekeeping practitioners and providing recommendations to further informed discourse on IHL and its integration into UN peace operations. The dialogues during the forum are expected to contribute to the development of training modules and policy frameworks, making peacekeeping more effective while ensuring the rights and safety of peacekeepers and civilians.