Working in World’s Toughest Environments, UN Police Help Bring Stability, Inspire

Trust, Secretary-General Tells Conference on International Police Peacekeeping

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the High-level Conference on International Police Peacekeeping in the Twenty-First Century:  The Right Capacities for New Challenges, held in Berlin, 10-11 October:

His Excellency, Guido Westerwelle, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany,

Distinguished officials from governments and intergovernmental organizations,

Experts in the field of international peace and security,

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I thank Germany for organizing this Conference.  And I thank so many participants for gathering on this important issue.

United Nations police work in some of the toughest environments in the world.  They serve communities.  They bring stability.  They inspire trust.  I have seen our brave men and women police help establish the rule of law and pave the way for lasting progress.

Their services are in high demand; 13,500 UN police officers from almost 90 countries currently serve under the United Nations flag.  As our numbers have grown, so have our responsibilities.  UN Police are adapting to meet emerging threats.  And they train local officers so that positive change takes deep root in society.

The United Nations is developing a strategic guidance framework for police peacekeeping.  It will provide a common reference for international police peacekeepers.

I appreciate the support of Member States.  But we need to do more.  We especially need more female police.  Women police can more easily earn the trust of local women.  That means more victims come forward and we can stop more crime.

I count on all of you to help us meet the peace and security challenges of the twenty-first century.

Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record