Military Capacities and

the Capability-driven Approach

Informal Briefing to the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations

New York, 8 December 2014

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C-34 Support for a capability-driven approach

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2014 Report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (A/68/19) reiterates:

Para. 74. “…The Special Committee takes note of the Secretariat’s ongoing

work on the development of a comprehensive capability-driven approach in

the prevailing challenging peacekeeping environment, with the aim of

improving overall performance in the field. The Special Committee requests an

update briefing on new capabilities and the military capability studies process.

The Special Committee encourages the Secretariat to continue its work on a

comprehensive capability-driven approach, in close cooperation with troop-

and police-contributing countries, and to report back to the Committee, before

its next substantive session, on the progress achieved.”

Changing environment

• Changing nature of conflict

• Cycles of violence, weak governance and recurring fragility

• Regionalization/internationalization of conflict

• Amorphous, transnational, sometimes extremist armed groups

• Changing, challenging mandates

• Deployed where there is no peace to keep, or where fragile peace is easily disrupted

• Dangerous environments, asymmetric threats

• Protection of civilians mandates (10 mission)

• Robust mandates

How do the uniformed components of peacekeeping operations remain fit for purpose in the rapidly changing, dynamic global

environment?

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Implications for uniformed capability needs

• Counter asymmetric threats

• Retain the capacity to deploy large, multidimensional missions while growing smaller highly equipped, mobile and versatile capabilities.

• Use technology effectively and efficiently

• Achieve resource efficiencies and scale quickly

• Rapid response, non-linear strategies and flexible posture

• Strong leadership and well prepared personnel and units

How do we achieve these strategic needs?4

The capability-driven approach

• Peacekeeping requires the capabilities to meet the challenges of rapidly changing environments.

• 2009: New Horizon agenda introduces capability-driven approach

• Retaining effective contributors and broadening the base of TCCs/PCCs

• Many ongoing initiatives

• New troop cost reimbursement framework

• Expert Panel on Technology and Innovation

• “Being a Peacekeeper” strategic force generation meetings

• Policy work on rapid deployment

• GFSS

• Critical enablers

• Office for the Strategic Peacekeeping Partnership

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Uniformed Capabilities Development Agenda

Priority Workstreams

Agility

Rapid Deployment

High mobility units in-theatre

Standing capability:

Duty of CareMedical support:

Responsive to

Emerging

Environments

IED Survivability:

Information-led operations:

Transnational threats:

PlanningPlanning and implementation:

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Standards

• UN Military Units Manuals projects:• United Nations Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM)

• English version printed

• Copies to field missions and Permanent Missions

• Being translated into French

• United Nations Military Unit Manuals (UNMUM)

• 11 manuals (Aviation, Engineers, Force HQ Support Unit, Logistics, Maritime, MP, Reconnaissance, Riverine, Signal, Special Forces and Transport)

• All the manuals to be complete by end 2014

• 2 Dec 2014: Final conference at UNHQ

• Force Headquarters Manual (FHQ)

• In approval process

• Operational Readiness Assurance (ORA)• Framework being developed

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• Revised rate of reimbursement

• Premium payments (risk, rapid deployment of enabling capability)

• Deductions based on absent and non-functioning major equipment

• 12 month personnel rotation policy (“in the interest of effective

peacekeeping”)

New reimbursement framework

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• New capability requirements to be periodically determined based

on operational needs of missions – particularly in start-up or

expansion phases

• Required capabilities in high demand and/or short supply

• Personnel deployment must be matched with the needed COE

• Incentive scale to be based on speed of deployment

• Calculation based on personnel and COE reimbursement

entitlement

• Paid as personnel reimbursement

• Premium paid to TCCs/PCCs

• Detailed guidelines being developed

Enabling capability premium

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Way forward

• Continuation of uniformed capability development projects

• UNMUM Implementation Phase

• Report of High-Level Panel on Technology and Innovation

• Development of guidance on new reimbursement framework

• Strengthen partnerships with Member States and regional organizations

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Questions?

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