Security Council Open Debate on UN Peacekeeping Operations, August 2010

On Friday, August 6, 2010 the Security Council held an open debate entitled "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations." 19 Member States spoke, including 14 Security Council Members, 5 Non-Security Council Members, as well as representatives from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The statements covered a myriad of issues, including the clarity of mission mandates, support and guidance for mission leaders, challenges of specific missions, and general challenges to peacekeeping.

Only 7 Member States made mention of women, peace and security in their statements: Austria, Bangladesh, India, Korea, the Philippines, Turkey and the United Kingdom. References to women, peace and security primarily focused on the involvement of women in peacekeeping operations, increasing women's involvement in Peacekeeping missions, and the protection of women.