United Nations Security Council Resolution 2668 – United Nations peacekeeping operations
Resolution 2668 (2022)
The Security Council,
Recalling the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming the primary responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security,
Condemning in the strongest terms the killing of, and all acts of violence against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations, including, but not limited to, their detention and abduction, and recalling that such acts against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes,
Paying tribute to all United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations, including those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for the cause of peace,
Underscoring the importance of peacekeeping as one of the most effective tools available to the United Nations in the promotion and maintenance of international peace and security, reaffirming that lasting peace is neither achieved nor sustained by military and technical engagements alone, but through political solutions and strongly convinced that this should guide the design and deployment of United Nations peace operations, and understanding United Nations peace operations as peacekeeping operations and special political missions,
Expressing particular concern for the comprehensive wellbeing of United Nations peace operations personnel who face a wide range of challenges and operate in complex environments,
Noting that United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations are deployed in deteriorating and complex political and security environments, and expressing grave concern about the security threats and targeted attacks against United Nations personnel serving in peacekeeping operations, which constitute a major challenge to United Nations operations,
Expressing deep appreciation for all UN personnel in UN peace operations for their extraordinary efforts in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences,
Recognizing the negative impact that misinformation and disinformation campaigns against the United Nations can have on the safety and security of peace operations personnel, their mental health, and their ability to protect civilians and fully implement their mandates,
Acknowledging and encouraging the continuation of pre-deployment training by troop- and police-contributing countries to peacekeeping operations personnel to screen and mentally prepare personnel prior to their deployment for increasingly challenging and hazardous operating environments, including through the nationally-determined processes for assessment, prevention, mitigation, and treatment of mental health conditions and associated risk factors, Noting the impact of the mental health of UN peace operations personnel on the effectiveness of UN peace operations,
Stressing the importance of timely and sufficient mental health and psychosocial support for United Nations peace operations personnel and encouraging Member States, donors, and relevant parties to integrate mental health and psychosocial support services in humanitarian responses,
Recalling the 2017 UN Staff Well-Being Survey Data Report, and noting efforts undertaken by the Secretariat to address the needs the United Nations personnel and improve organizational capacities for assessment, prevention, mitigation and treatment of mental health conditions and associated risk factors through the 2018 UN Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy,
Noting the ongoing work carried out by the UN Secretariat along with experts on the Advisory Committee, comprising of Member States, World Health Organisation, and other Non-Governmental Organisations, in the area of mental health for uniformed personnel,
- Recognizes the need to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and psychosocial support to United Nations peace operations personnel;
2. Encourages troop- and police-contributing countries, including Member States and the UN Secretariat, as appropriate, to provide mental health services to support personnel during pre-deployment training, in order to sensitize personnel on effective recognition of signs symptoms of mental distress;
3. Encourages the UN Secretariat and troop- and police-contributing countries, including Member States, as appropriate, to continue fostering a culture of well-being and care, during deployment;
4. Also encourages troop- and police-contributing countries, including Member States and the UN Secretariat, as appropriate, to continue to provide peace operations personnel at the post-deployment stage with adequate mental health and psychosocial support services, in response as required to the needs and experiences of those receiving them and apply a gender-responsive approach, as appropriate;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to include information on the implementation of aspects of the 2018 UN Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, as appropriate, in his comprehensive reports mandated by the Security Council under its resolution 2378 (2017).
Adopted by the Security Council at its 9229th meeting, on 21 December 2022.
