However, we must remember that we have no time to lose in improving protect...

However, we must remember that we have no time to lose in improving protection on the ground. We need to keep in mind both the multidimensional nature of peacekeeping operations and their various civilian, military and police components, as well as the essential political commitment that such missions require. Such commitment should be strengthened not only by the parties to a conflict, but also by Headquarters, and primarily the Security Council. The Council must shoulder its main responsibility, which is the maintenance of international peace and security, by establishing clear mandates that facilitate the preparation of operations in all their aspects and help missions to fully accomplish their tasks. As we have reiterated on several occasions, the protection of civilians has become an essential element for achieving peace and for the credibility and legitimacy of the Organization. In that regard, the Security Council has the capacity to adopt specific measures coherently to promote orderly and systematic compliance with international law by all actors in a conflict, in particular the parties to the conflict and armed non-State groups. This was illustrated by the various examples provided by the Secretary-General in last year's report and in the preparation of the aforementioned aide-memoire.