The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34) was established in 1965 under the General Assembly Fourth Committee. Comprising 157 member states, the C34 is a unique multilateral organization that unites various stakeholders in peacekeeping efforts. These include the permanent members of the Security Council, countries that provide troops and police, major financial contributors to the Peacekeeping Budget, multiple host states, and other relevant parties. It is the Committee’s responsibility to conduct a thorough analysis of problems pertaining to peacekeeping efforts. In this capacity, it provides recommendations to peacekeeping stakeholders through yearly reports that are unanimously approved. In response, the Secretary-General releases a yearly report detailing the steps the Secretariat has taken to implement these recommendations.

In 2011, South Sudan became a newly recognized state, gaining independence. This was the product of an extended period of difficult peace talks. The process began in 2005, with the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and a popular vote for independence. However, the conflict between the government and opposing paramilitary forces led to poor living conditions in South Sudan. In response to this, the United Nations Security Council established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). Its main objective was the consolidation of security and peace for everyone in the state. However, in 2013 a civil war erupted in South Sudan because of political differences between parties and created conflicts between ethnic groups. Because of these tensions, military forces utilized certain weapons and tactics that then caught civilians in the process. Today, the UNMISS mandate tries to address the situation by aiming to provide humanitarian aid and prevent human rights violations by supporting security reforms, disarmament, protecting civilians, and backing the South Sudanese government. There are already more than 20,000 peacekeepers in South Sudan for UNMISS, and the mandate has been renewed for another year to try to reduce repeated issues like internal conflict, gender-based attacks and electoral disputes. The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations holds a pivotal role in this conflict, and delegates must consider the ethnic group conflicts and the escalating humanitarian emergency, which require urgent international collaboration.

At the forefront of international peace, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) is tasked with maintaining order and stability in one of the most conflict-ridden regions worldwide. Established in 1949 following the Indo-Pakistan war, UNMOGIP was formed to monitor the ceasefire between the two states in the long-disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The mission originated to supervise the ceasefire line established by the Karachi Agreement, but in 1965, renewed military hostilities provoked the Security Council to call for a lasting ceasefire and strict maintenance of peace. The primary objective of the mission is to continue observing developments along Jammu and Kashmir’s de facto border—the Line of Control (LoC)—and report any violations to the Secretary-General. Over the years, objectives have evolved from (a) supervision to (b) addressing the political dynamics in the region to (c) preventing potential nuclear-armed countries from escalating into war. In late January 2024, UNMOGIP hosted a delegation from the Comprehensive Planning and Performance Assessment (CPAS) Team from UN Headquarters to conduct the Mission’s fourth annual impact assessment. Together, they reviewed yearly data and suggested new indicators to better UNMOGIP’s operations. The main operations include the core mandated tasks of prevention, early warning, and reporting, as well as employing military observers on both sides of the border for patrols and inspections. Promoting peace in Jammu and Kashmir is vital for regional stability and global interests, given the territory’s connection to Afghanistan and India’s economy. Delegates of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations should aim to explore the efficacy of a variety of solutions to enhance UNMOGIP’s productivity while addressing both the humanitarian and political consequences of the issue.