New York: Addressing the UN Security Council on Friday during a debate on peacekeeping operations worldwide, Guterres said missions are increasingly being asked to contain the consequences of wars in which parties face little pressure to bring fighting to an end, with some conflicts also being fuelled by outside actors.

“Peacekeeping is, above all, a political instrument, deployed to support political solutions, never to replace them,” Guterres said, stressing that peace operations cannot substitute for diplomacy and genuine political processes.

He warned that peacekeepers are facing attacks, civilians continue to be targeted and international law is being violated as missions operate in increasingly difficult and dangerous environments.

Guterres outlined several priorities for strengthening UN peace operations, including placing greater emphasis on peacemaking and ensuring missions are deployed with a clear political pathway towards peace. He stressed that sustainable peace must ultimately be built from within, with national actors playing a central role in finding and implementing solutions.

The Secretary-General also called for continuous investment in peacekeeping personnel, capabilities and resources so missions can respond effectively to evolving conflicts.

He further emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships, noting that no single organisation can address today’s conflicts alone and that UN peace operations must work closely with host countries, regional organisations and the wider UN system.