UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix affirmed on Tuesday that peacekeeping operations have proven to be "critical tools" in advancing peace processes and supporting sustainable political solutions.

During a briefing to the UN Security Council session on maintaining international peace and security, Lacroix stated that according to the Pact for the Future, the objective is to provide strategic, forward-looking recommendations to strengthen peace operations and adapt UN tools to meet evolving needs.

He noted that peacekeeping missions have facilitated transitions from civil war to lasting peace in countries like Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Côte d'Ivoire by providing security guarantees, enabling inclusive dialogue, and supporting national transformations.

Lacroix described conflict resolution and mediation as "inherently complex and uncertain endeavors," noting that UN missions are often deployed in highly volatile environments where political processes stall, trust between conflict parties erodes, and humanitarian situations deteriorate.

The Under-Secretary-General highlighted three critical areas for ensuring peacekeeping missions' effectiveness in achieving political solutions, emphasizing that the Security Council's role extends beyond mandating missions to providing sustained on-the-ground support.

He stressed the importance of UN missions and their leaders serving as "steadfast and permanent ambassadors for peace," calling for close coordination with regional and sub-regional actors whose political influence and proximity to crises can be decisive in shaping positive political outcomes.

The UN official urged more effective utilization of contributions from troop- and police-contributing countries, recalling that peacekeeping missions have been at the forefront of supporting local peace initiatives. He cautioned that sustainable peace remains elusive when people feel unsafe.

"Protection creates space for political solutions, which in turn reinforce protection," Lacroix emphasized, underscoring the need for concurrent political and protective approaches.