United Nations: Berlin Peacekeeping Summit Yields Commitments to Enhance Global Operations

The United Nations Peacekeeping Ministerial 2025, hosted by Germany, concluded on 14 May 2025 after a two-day high-level meeting that gathered over a thousand participants. This forum provided Member States an opportunity to demonstrate political support and address the future of peacekeeping. Delegations made significant commitments to bridge capability gaps and adapt peace operations to current issues and emerging realities, with a primary focus on the evolving nature of peacekeeping.

Fifteen nations, including Bangladesh, Canada, Ethiopia, Ghana, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Uruguay, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Nations Secretariat, co-chaired the Ministerial process.

In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that "Blue Helmets can mean the difference between life and death." He commended Member States' support for peacekeeping and their pledges of new partnerships, technological assistance, and military and police capabilities. Guterres stressed the importance of collaboration in a globalized world, stating that "no nation can achieve peace and security for its citizens on its own."

The meeting resulted in crucial pledges from 74 member states, including:

• Military and Police Forces: 53 Member States committed uniformed capabilities, including 88 military and police units.
• Specialized Training: 59 Member States pledged to provide training on key topics such as gender, civilian protection, peacekeeping intelligence, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Technology and Data Strategies: 18 Member States committed to enhancing mission effectiveness through data-driven methods and technological innovations.
• Women, Peace, and Security: 38 Member States pledged to advance this agenda, including increasing women's participation in peacekeeping and implementing gender-responsive approaches.
• Safety and Security: 16 Member States committed to improving peacekeeper safety and security.
• Conduct and accountability: 11 Member States supported UN Peacekeeping's efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse, including donations to the Trust Fund for victims.
• Information Integrity and Strategic Communications: Eight Member States pledged resources to enhance information integrity and support UN Strategic Communications initiatives.

Boris Pistorius, Germany's Minister of Defense, expressed gratitude to all partners for their attendance and significant pledges. He announced Germany's commitment of 82 million euros to UN Peacekeeping and reaffirmed the country's support for its ongoing peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Lebanon, and Western Sahara.