May July 2008 №3

Antonius Broek Appointed UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus

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Peacekeeping Operations: Performing Complex Tasks page 8

2008 60th Anniversary

1948 of UN AIDS Candlelight Memorial Observed Every Year in May

pages 6—7 page 10 Сontents

UN Wire Leader New UN Peacekeeping Chief has been 1 New UN Peacekeeping 6-7 60th Anniversary Chief has been of UN Peacekeeping Appointed Appointed Peacekeeping 60 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed Alain Le Roy of as Business Leaders Urge G8 to Resolve 8-9 Peacekeeping the new head of Water Crisis Operations: Performing peacekeeping, tasked with Complex Tasks overseeing almost 110,000 personnel 177 Journalists serving in 20 peace operations Killed in 2007 Today in Focus around the world. Mr. Le Roy, 55, will replace Jean-Marie Guehenno of About 11 Percent 10 Weapons – France, who has held the post since of the World's Land Under Control! October 2000. Used for Agricultural Production Did you know that? Mr. Le Roy has previously served the world body as Deputy to the UN 40th Anniversary 11 AIDS Candlelight Special Coordinator for Sarajevo and for the Treaty on the Memorial Observed Director of Operations for the Non-Proliferation Every Year in May restoration of essential public of Nuclear Weapons services. UN Calendar He also went on missions for the UN UN in Belarus Development Programme in World 12 and was appointed UN 2-5 Antonius Population Day Bernardus Broek Regional Administrator in Appointed UN Resident International Youth Day (West Region). Coordinator/UNDP As the new Under-Secretary-General Resident Representative International Day for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Le in Belarus of the Disappeared Roy brings to the job an extensive experience in public administration, Biomass as UN on-line management and international affairs, an Alternative to Oil and Gas 13 Commemorating both at the political level and in the 60th Anniversary field. World Bank Supports of UN Peacekeeping In 2007, the UN General Assembly Local Initiatives authorized a comprehensive Fighting Global programme of internal restructuring, Food Crisis World Refugee including the reorganization of the Day 2008 in Belarus Coordination Department of Peacekeeping of International Efforts Operations and the establishment of a to Eradicate Poverty separate Department of Field Support. The restructuring also included a major augmentation of resources and the addition of new capacities and integrated structures to match the growing complexity of mandated activities and to ensure unity of command and integration of effort.

Editor-in-Chief: Victor Radivinovski (UN DPI) Authors of the materials: Marina Zagorskaya, Victor Radivinovski Translation: Oksana Derman, Alexandra Kirby Photo: Sergei Denisenko, UN DPI, photo.bymedia.net May-July 2008 Design: Unipak 6th floor, 17, Kirova Street, Minsk, 220030 Editorial Board: Antonius Broek (UN/UNDP), Levan Bouadze (UNDP), Tatyana Haplichnik (UNFPA), Branislav Jekic (UNICEF), Julia Lyskova (IMF), Julia Novichenok (UNICEF), Irina Oleinick (World Bank), Tel: (+375 17) 227-4876; fax: 226-0340 Vladislav Khilkevich (UNDP), Vladimir Scherbov (UN/UNDP),Tatiana Selivanova (UNHCR), E-mail: [email protected] Nadezhda Sinelnik (IFC), Sholeh Safavi (UNHCR), Nikolai Tolmachev (ILO), Egor Zaitsev (WHO), Internet: www.un.by Yana Zaverukhina (UN DPI), Elena Klotchan (WorldBank), Eleonora Gvozdeva (UNAIDS), Craig Bell (World Bank Group), Denis Dokutchits (UNFPA)

The "UN Bulletin" is published six times a year by the United Nations Office in Belarus. Its main purpose is to provide information on the UN system activities and implementation of the UN programmes and projects in Belarus. The views expressed in the individual articles, the boundaries and names shown and the designations used in maps or articles do not necessarily imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations. Articles may be freely reproduced as long credit as is given. Business Leaders can be used for growing Urge G8 to Resolve agricultural products with no serious environmental losses. Water Crisis UN experts believe that Heads of large companies from expanding the area of arable many countries of the world who lands will contribute to the have joined the United Nations reduction of world poverty and May Global Compact called upon the the development of many July G8 leaders to take urgent states. 2008 №3 measures to resolve the water calculated murder of media 40th Anniversary for

e and sanitation crisis. staff. The top three countries are r The Global Compact Board the Treaty on the i Iraq, Sierra Leone and Somali, stresses in its recently published where the lives of journalists Non-Proliferation of

W letter that the lack of safe covering combat actions are Nuclear Weapons drinking water, absence of basic endangered on a daily basis. sanitation conditions and poor On 1 July, the Treaty on the N States where at least five Non-Proliferation of Nuclear hygiene in many parts of the murders of journalists have not

U Weapons (NPT) marked its 40th world cause tremendous been solved for the past 10 anniversary. NPT was signed on suffering and entail grave years are also on the list. 1 July 1968 in Moscow, humanitarian and social Russia comes 7th. consequences. Washington and London by 59 The CPJ experts remind that states. The Treaty entered into Heads of State and Government states are obliged to search for force in 1970. While securing who gathered for the Millennium and punish those who have the nuclear state status for five Summit 2000 set the target to committed such crimes, for in countries Great Britain, USA, Antonius Broek halve, by the year 2015, the the end, it is democracy that China, USSR and France, NPT Appointed UN proportion of people who lack becomes a victim of each was aimed to prevent the Resident regular access to safe drinking offence on a journalist. spread of nuclear weapons. Coordinator/UNDP water and basic sanitation Resident services. Yet today almost About 11 Percent of In 1995, the Treaty was extended indefinitely. A total of Representative 1 billion people still cannot the World's Land 190 parties have joined NPT. in Belarus afford safe drinking water, and Used for Agricultural Much has been achieved on the 2.6 billion people are deprived Production way to implementing the Treaty. page 2 of basic sanitation services. According to the new Report The international community The Global Compact is the has managed to strengthen the submitted by the United Nations world's largest voluntary non-proliferation regime. Two Secretary General to the 16th agreement on corporate thirds of the world's states have session of the UN Commission responsibility. As of today, declared establishment of on Sustainable Development, leaders of more than 3,600 nuclear-weapon-free zones. about 11 percent of the world's large companies and Nevertheless, nuclear weapons land (1.5 billion ha) is used for corporations from 100 states still remain a unique threat to agricultural production today. have joined the Initiative. the existence of humankind. The Report notes that about 2.7 Several thousands of nuclear 177 Journalists bln. ha of the world's land could weapons exist in the world. Killed be used for agricultural needs, India, Pakistan and Israel have in 2007 most of which is located in sub- yet to join the Treaty. Israel Peacekeeping Saharan Africa and Latin 3 May is the World Press makes its accession to NPT Operations: America. 70 percent of the Freedom Day. On the eve of the conditional on the general Performing African population lives on day, UNESCO drew attention to settlement of the Middle East Complex Tasks agriculture. crisis. India and Pakistan are the fact that 177 media page 8 representatives had been killed In recent years, the CIS considering the possibility of in 2007 with reference to the countries have ceased joining the Treaty exclusively as International Federation of the production on 23 mln. ha of states-possessors of nuclear Periodical Press. An arable land, and only 13 mln. ha weapons. unprecedented number of journalists had been attacked or killed in Iraq. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), for the past 15 years, only 15 per cent out of 500 murders of journalists on duty have been censured. On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, the CPJ published the Index of AIDS Candlelight Impunity. The Index includes Memorial Observed 13 countries, whose authorities Every Year in May cannot or do not want to bring to justice those responsible for the page 10 s u r Antonius a l

e Bernardus Broek B

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i Appointed UN Resident

N Coordinator/UNDP U

On 20 June, Belarus' Foreign Resident Representative Minister, Sergei Martynov, and new UN Resident Coordinator in in Belarus OnBelarus, Antonius Bernardus Broek, discussed priority areas for further cooperation between the Belarusian Government and the UN Office in Belarus. According to official statements from the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belarus hopes for UN agencies' assistance in studying and applying international best practices to improve energy efficiency and energy saving, and also in attracting foreign investments and mitigating long-term impacts of the Chernobyl disaster. Particular attention has been given to the promotion of Belarus' initiatives in the international arena. These include improving access for developing countries and transition economies to the technologies for using alternative and renewable energy resources, as well as improving the coordination of international efforts in combating human trafficking. Antonius Bernardus Broek has been working in the United Nations since 1984. In 1984–1986, he worked as an Assistant to the FAO Expert in Pakistan. In 1986–1992, Mr Broek held various positions in the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Since 1992, Mr Broek has worked in the United Nations Development Programme. From 1992 to 1996, he worked as an Assistant to the UNDP Resident Representative in China. In 1996–2000, Mr Broek was a Deputy Chief of the Country Office Support Division at the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific (RBAP) in New York. In 2004–2008, Mr Broek headed the UNDP English, French and German. He is married In 2001–2004, as the UNDP First Deputy Office in Burundi and organized rebuilding and has two children. Resident Representative to Ethiopia, Mr Broek efforts after the armed conflict. He greatly Previously, the UN/UNDP Office in Belarus was played a key role in establishing collaboration contributed to the mobilization of donor headed by Ms Cihan Sultanoglu (Turkey). between the Government, donor community resources to assist the country torn by war. She worked in Belarus from April 2004 to and private sector, paving the way for the Mr Broek comes from the Netherlands. He November 2007. Now Ms Sultanoglu is a launch of Global Compact in Ethiopia and the graduated from the Agricultural University of Deputy Director for the Regional Bureau for establishment of the National Association of Vageningen (the Netherlands) with a Master's Europe and the CIS at the UNDP Headquarters Eco-Tourism. Degree in Natural Sciences. He speaks Dutch, in New York. s u r a l e B Biomass as n i

N an Alternative U to Oil and Gas A five-year joint project of the United Nations Development GEF and the Government of Belarus. GEF contribution has totaled US$ 3.37 million. Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) entitled The funds have been used to build boiler houses in Belarusian towns (2 boilers 1 MW A“Biomass Energy for Heating and each), to equip three wastewood-fired mini- Hot Water Supply in Belarus” has CHPs (from 1.5 to 2.5 MW) and to establish an been completed. Its abbreviated enterprise dealing with the logging, processing title is “Biomass Energy”. and supply of wood chips (60 thousand m3 a The project was developed upon year). the initiative and with active Due to the alternative ways of generating involvement of the Committee for energy set up by the project, GHG emissions Energy Efficiency under the are expected to be reduced by over one million Council of Ministers of the tons within the next fifteen years. Republic of Belarus (later The project has also established a revolving restructured into the Department fund with initial capital of more than US$ 3 for Energy Efficiency of the State million. It is used to finance projects focusing on bio-energy and energy efficiency. Standardization Committee), UNDP and the United Nations Economic A geographic information system (GIS) has Commission for Europe. The been elaborated as a new instrument of bio- energy development in Belarus. It incorporates objective of the project is to databases on boiler houses, their heat capacity, contribute to the global reduction forest resources, logging plans for up to ten of greenhouse gas emissions years, woodworking companies and transport (GHG) through replacing fossil system. GIS is a modern instrument of bio- fuels with renewable energy, energy planning both at the national and local including firewood. level. According to international experts, the burning of fossil fuels is the main contributor to global climate change. In the opinion of Dzmitry times higher than the investments required for Halubouski, UNDP Programme Officer, the transition to less carbon-intensive economy, – unwillingness of governments worldwide to stressed Dzmitry Halubouski. – Pilot projects change their energy policies so as to reduce like “Biomass Energy” can play a key role in GHG emissions may lead to irreversible removing the existing barriers impeding the consequences for humankind. broad introduction of climate-neutral technologies. – The cost of inaction may be exorbitant and the expenditures on climate change mitigation “Biomass Energy” is the first large-scale project and adaptation to new conditions will be many of this type in Belarus and is funded by the

In 2004 the Government of Belarus adopted the Programme stipulating that by 2012, the share of local fuels in energy generation should total 25% (versus 16% at present). Firewood should become one of the key sources of the projected growth. The project has involved trainings for Belarusian general managers and specialists in Austria, Czech Republic, Finland and Sweden. More than 40 general managers and specialists have participated in study tours. Cooperation between UNDP, GEF and the Belarusian stakeholders under the project has Intensive training courses, which include drawing on the experience of the project brought tangible benefits for the country and demonstration sites, have been organized for specialists and general managers representing UNDP intends to provide further assistance to the housing and utilities sector and the district and regional authorities. Over 120 people have taken part in trainings. the Government of Belarus in improving energy efficiency and energy saving.

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i World Bank Supports

N Local Initiatives U

The World Bank Belarus Country Office and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Thehave started the implementation of their joint project “Local Initiative Support”. In 2008 the World Bank is supporting civil society initiatives within the framework of its two programs, notably the Social Development Fund and Development Market Place. Development Market Place is a financial support mechanism for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which have proposed new approaches in addressing a certain problem. In 2008, three Belarusian NGOs have been awarded grants: the Youth Association "Business ABC", "New Faces" Association and the Rogachev district association of parents of disabled children and young disabled people. These organizations have proposed innovative ideas related to youth employment and healthy lifestyle. More than 400 organizations from Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova participated in the Development Market Place. The World Bank Social Development Fund Training within the project "Local Initiative Support" supports small-scale initiatives of non- governmental organizations intended to 2008–2009 is a follow-up of the Small Grants Development Market Place and Social address local development issues and to Program for non-governmental organizations Development Fund contests, as well as for enhance dialogue and cooperation. The implemented in 2003–2007. During this period, other organizations. program has been implemented in Belarus 41 NGOs received funding for the – We are satisfied with the results achieved since 1999. About US$ 340 thousand has been implementation of social or Chernobyl-related allocated to support 60 projects. within the Small Grants Program, said projects (www.sdc.by). In addition to providing Vyacheslav Kulchitsky, Deputy Head of Belarus' – Though this year there have been no principal grants, an important component of the Program Office of the Swiss Agency for Development changes in the terms of the contest, we can say is building the capacity of these organizations. and Cooperation. – We are confident that in a that the level of project proposals has Trainings were designed to enhance couple of years we will say the same about the considerably improved. Almost all project participants' management skills and abilities as Civil Society Support Program. Through this proposals demonstrate both knowledge of the well as to allow for the exchange of experience situation and clear vision of how the problems and information. In the past five years, the Program, we hope to help the Belarusian non- can be addressed. Most importantly, project Government of Switzerland allocated over US$ governmental associations to improve their proposals are not limited to short-term 300 thousand for the Small Grants Program. professional skills and to intensify their solutions, they are components of a cooperation with the public sector and In 2008, within the framework of the joint businesses. comprehensive action plan developed in project, the Swiss Agency for Development and collaboration with other organizations, – Cooperation will focus on improving the The representative of the Swiss Agency for stressed Irina Oleinik, Public Relations Expert capacity of NGOs, thereby supplementing the Development and Cooperation believes that of the World Bank Belarus Country Office. World Bank's efforts to support civil society such collaboration is an effective way of The Civil Society Support Program of the Swiss initiatives. Training courses and workshops will addressing social problems on the way to Agency for Development and Cooperation for be organized for the winners and finalists of the sustainable development. UN BULLETIN s u r a l e

B World Refugee

n i Day 2008 in Belarus

N held on 19 June 2008 during a gala concert at U the Republican Palace of Culture of Veterans. Each year, the Office of the United A contest of works by Nations High Commissioner for undergraduate and Refugees (UNHCR) defines a graduate students. Еtheme for World Refugee Day The results of the (WRD). For WRD 2008, the theme traditional annual national contest of works “Protection” was chosen due to its on refugees by flexible meaning. The main goal of undergraduate and WRD 2008 is to raise awareness graduate students were about UNHCR, its work with announced for World refugees and persons finding Refugee Day. Having themselves in similar situations, examined the submitted the attempts to find durable research, the members of the commission noted solutions to their problems, and the high level of the the challenges UNHCR faces. The works and the rich focus is on the necessity to Ms. Sholeh Safavi at the Festival of National Cultures together potential among the formulate one common goal to with refugee children participants. present UNHCR as an effective The commission and active organization making a A national contest of children's creative announced six winners of the contest, among them students of the Belarusian State real contribution to solving works on refugees and an exhibition of University, the Belarusian State Economic refugees' problems. children's drawings. The organizational committee received over 1,300 drawings, University, and a student of the Belarusian “Protecting Hands” is the logo of the long-term posters, essays and poems from children all Ministry of Interior's Academy. The regions campaign aimed at disseminating knowledge over Belarus. Participation in the contest were not left out: students from Vitebsk State about UNHCR's activities. The Office of the UN helped school children find out about the University and Grodno State University were High Commissioner for Refugees intends for challenges that refugees are facing, and reflect also among the winners. this symbol to become synonymous with their visions of the problem in their works. Radio Programmes. By 20 June, UNHCR and UNHCR in the public mind. While learning about the tragic fates of the NGO “Evolutio” had prepared three one- 20 June 2008 was the eighth time Belarus refugees, children and teenagers gain a greater hour programmes under the common name commemorated World Refugee Day. appreciation of the peaceful environment in “On Refugees and Beyond”, which were Traditionally various activities are coordinated their home country, and learn patience, broadcast by Radius-FM radio station on 2, 9 to celebrate World Refugee Day, tolerance and kindness. The 100 best works and 16 June respectively. On 16-20 June, Representatives of the UNHCR Office in were exhibited at the National Museum of 2008, information strips dedicated to WRD Belarus directly participate in organizing these History and Culture of Belarus from 12 June were aired by “Radio Roks” radio station twice activities. through 12 July. The awards ceremony was a day. The programmes presented the current situation of refugees in the world and in Belarus, and tried to break stereotypes about 802 persons have refugee status in Belarus. Most of them come from Afghanistan and Georgia. refugees. On 18 June, Radius-FM broadcast a Altogether Belarus is hosting about 11,000 people “under the UNHCR's mandate”, of whom talk show in which the Head of the UNHCR 8,000 are stateless persons and 2,000 are asylum seekers. About 370 people are currently Office in Belarus, Sholeh Safavi, took part. recipients of UNHCR's legal and technical assistance (the UNHCR Office was opened in Press-conference. A press conference on the Belarus in 1995). occasion of World Refugee Day was organized Belarus has significantly improved its national legal basis and administrative procedures on all on 20 June at Belarus' National Press Center. issues related to refugees. On 23 June 2008, the President signed a new Law on granting Representatives of UNHCR, Department for refugee status, additional and temporary protection to foreign citizens and stateless persons in Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of the Republic of Belarus. The Law will come into effect within a year after its signing by the Head Interior of Belarus, State Border Guards of State. Committee of Belarus, and the refugee Since the UNHCR Office was opened in Belarus, the country has received 5.8 million US community participated in the event. A dollars' worth of technical assistance. ceremony to award the winners of the student contest was held during the press conference.

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d 60th a e

L Anniversary of UN

The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, proclaimed Peacekeeping by the UN General Assembly in The2002, is celebrated every year on 29 May. On this day in 1948, the United Nations pioneered peacekeeping with the establishment of an operation in Palestine. This day serves as a tribute to all people who have participated or continue to participate in the UN peacekeeping operations intended to maintain peace and security and to help societies torn by war to create the conditions for lasting peace and stability. It is also a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the service of peace. During sixty years, UN has established a total of 63 peacekeeping operations. 20 peacekeeping missions are underway. The ultimate goal of UN peacekeepers is to make it possible for people to return to a normal life when children can walk to school, former combatants can start working and farmers can resume plowing mine-free fields. As a rule, peacekeeping operations are authorized by the Security Council which is the United Nations organ with primary responsibility for maintaining peace and security under the UN Charter. Financial aspects of peacekeeping missions are dealt with by the UN General Assembly. What is Peacekeeping? be a buffer between the parties to the conflict. Armistice Agreement between Israel and its The term 'peacekeeping' is not found in the The soldiers in peacekeeping forces do not Arab neighbours. United Nations Charter. It implies something have offensive weapons and are not During the Cold War, UN peacekeeping's goals between traditional methods of resolving commanded to engage in offensive action. were primarily limited to maintaining ceasefires disputes peacefully, such as negotiation and Another difference is that peacekeeping and stabilizing situations on the ground, so that mediation, and more forceful action. UN operations are deployed on the territory and efforts could be made at the political level to peacekeeping is one of the ways to help with the consent of the host governments. This resolve the conflict by peaceful means. countries torn by conflict create the conditions consent can be withdrawn. Those missions consisted of military observers for lasting peace. The first UN peacekeeping mission was and lightly armed troops with monitoring, Peacekeeping operations are by nature established in 1948, when the Security Council reporting and confidence-building roles in different from traditional military operations. The authorized the deployment of UN military support of ceasefires and limited peace task of peacekeeping operation personnel is to observers to the Middle East to monitor the agreements. UN BULLETIN

With the end of the Cold War, the strategic Faced with the rising demand for increasingly 32, Korea – 37, Russia – 44, USA – 43. Almost context for UN peacekeeping dramatically complex peace operations, the United Nations 976 citizens of Poland, 27 citizens of the Kyrgyz changed, prompting the United Nations to shift in the past few years has been overstretched Republic, 10 citizens of Moldova, 9 citizens of and expand its field operations from 'traditional' and challenged as never before. It has worked Lithuania, two citizens of Kazakhstan and two missions involving strictly military tasks, to vigorously to strengthen its capacity to manage citizens of Estonia participate in the UN complex 'multidimensional' enterprises and sustain field operations and, thus, peacekeeping operations. designed to ensure the implementation of contribute to one of the most important Together with representatives of other comprehensive peace agreements and assist in functions of the United Nations maintaining countries, 550 military and police personnel international peace and security. laying the foundations for sustainable peace. from Ukraine serve in seven UN peacekeeping Today's peacekeepers undertake a wide variety In late June 2007, the General Assembly operations. 319 of them serve in the UN of complex tasks, from helping to build unanimously passed a Resolution on mission in Liberia. About 300 military men, sustainable institutions of governance, to strengthening UN capacity for the management military observers and police officers from human rights monitoring, to security sector of peacekeeping operations, including the Russia participate in 14 UN operations. reform, to the disarmament, demobilization and establishment of the new Department of Field Peacekeeping is a dangerous job. Over the last reintegration of former combatants. Support. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon six decades, more than 2,400 men and women welcomed this important effort. He stressed The nature of conflicts has also changed in have lost their lives in the service of peace. that through the Resolution the General recent years. Originally developed as a means Last year alone, peacekeeping forces lost 87 Assembly, members reaffirmed the high of dealing with inter-State conflict, UN people. significance of peacekeeping and willingness to peacekeeping has been increasingly applied to strengthen the UN's role in this field. Belarus and Peacekeeping Operations intra-State conflicts and civil wars. Although the Peacekeeping is a Dangerous Job The Memorandum of Understanding between military remain the backbone of most the Republic of Belarus and the United Nations peacekeeping operations, the many faces of Today, over 110 thousand people from 118 related to Belarus' participation in the reserve peacekeeping now include administrators and countries serve in peacekeeping operations agreement system was signed on 1 October economists, police officers and legal experts, deployed by the United Nations. The five 2001 at the UN Headquarters. deminers and electoral observers, human countries which provide most of the military Following the decision made by the Belarusian rights monitors and specialists in civil affairs personnel and military observers for the leadership about the need to expand Belarus' and governance, humanitarian workers and peacekeeping operations include Pakistan, participation in peacekeeping, including its experts in communications and public Bangladesh, India, Nigeria and Nepal. Italy military components, in 20022004 Belarus information. ranks nine in this list, France – 13, Ukraine – established a legislative framework regulating the procedure of the participation of Belarus' representatives in peacekeeping operations. It is based on the Law “On the procedure of providing military men, officers and soldiers of interior agencies, financial investigation agencies of the State Control Committee of the Republic of Belarus, emergency agencies and departments as well as civilian personnel outside the Republic of Belarus to participate in operations on the maintenance of international peace and security”. The Law provides for the participation of Belarusian citizens in peacekeeping operations undertaken by the Security Council in accordance with the UN Charter, regional international organizations or within the framework of the regional international organizations or agreements to which Belarus is a party. The Law provides both for the participation of civilian personnel in peacekeeping operations (policemen, observers, civilian staff of missions deployed in post-conflict zones and etc.) and the possibility of providing military personnel for peacekeeping missions in the case of the respective decision being made by the President of the Republic of Belarus. One of the key instruments of ensuring operative compatibility for participation in joint peacekeeping operations is the Process of Capacity Planning and Assessment of the “Partnership for Peace” Programme, in which Belarus has participated since 2004.

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e Performing P Over 60 years, UN peacekeeping Complex Tasks has evolved to meet the demands of different conflicts and changing Opolitical landscapes. It has proved itself to be an efficient and cost- effective international instrument to restore peace in post-conflict situations. In addition to military functions, today's UN peacekeeping undertakes a wide variety of other complex tasks. UN peacekeeping is a central element of international conflict response U UN peacekeeping provides essential security and support to millions of people as well as to fragile institutions emerging from conflict. U The international character of UN Security Council authorized peacekeeping missions provides unparalleled legitimacy to UN peace operations. U UN peacekeeping is an impartial and widely accepted vehicle for both burden-sharing and effective action. U UN peacekeeping provides a vital stabilizing element of security in post-conflict situations that enables peace efforts to proceed, but it may not be the only tool needed to address every crisis situation. U Peacekeeping supports a peace process; it cannot substitute for one. States. As of 31 March 2008, 118 countries more than 45 countries to participate in free UN Peacekeeping operations is a large- contributed military and police personnel to and fair elections, and helped disarm more than scale activity UN peacekeeping. 400,000 ex-combatants in the past decade U The UN is the largest multilateral contributor U More than 77,000 of those serving were alone. The UN is an efficient and cost-effective to post-conflict stabilization worldwide. troops and military observers and about force provider. Its specialists, particularly in integrated missions, possess a wide range of U There are almost 110,000 serving on 20 11,000 were police personnel. In addition, civil and military capabilities needed to stabilize peace operations led by the UN Departments there were more than 5,000 international and help develop post-conflict situations. of Peacekeeping Operations and Field civilian personnel, 12,000 local civilian staff Support on four continents directly impacting and some 2,000 UN Volunteers from over In 2007, the UN General Assembly authorized a the lives of hundreds of millions of people. 160 nations. comprehensive programme of internal restructuring, including the reorganization of the This represents a seven-fold increase in UN U Women are increasingly performing key Department of Peacekeeping Operations and peacekeepers since 1999. leadership functions in peacekeeping: the establishment of a separate Department of U between February 2007 and January 2008, In addition, the newly established Field Support. Department of Field Support (DFS) supports there was an increase of over 40% of women another 12 special political and/or serving in peacekeeping. In the new structure, DPKO focuses on providing strategic direction, management and peacebuilding field missions managed by the A high rate of success peacekeeping guidance to peacekeeping operations, while Department of Political Affairs, as well as a operations number of other UN peace offices. DFS provides operational support and Since 1945, UN peacekeepers have expertise in the areas of personnel, finance and U The UN does not have its own military force; undertaken 63 field missions, which, budget, communications, information it depends on contributions from Member among many other things, enabled people in technology and logistics. UN BULLETIN

UN peacekeeping is cost-effective UN peace operations that are far less expensive than other forms of international intervention and their costs are shared more equitably among UN Member States. The approved peacekeeping budget for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 is approximately US$6.8 billion. This represents about 0.5% of global military spending (estimated at US$1,232 billion in 2006). When costs to the UN per peacekeeper are compared to the costs of troops deployed by the United States, other developed states, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or regional organizations, the United Nations is the least expensive option by far. A recent survey by Oxford University economists found that international military intervention under Chapter VII of the UN Charter is the most cost-effective means of preventing a return to war in post-conflict societies. UN peacekeeping makes a difference where it matters most The security environments into which recent peacekeeping operations have deployed are among the most difficult and least governed of any such situation that the international operations have ever encountered. Peacekeeping missions deploy where others cannot or will not and play a vital role in providing a bridge to stability and eventual long-term peace and development.

Top 20 Contributors of Uniformed Personnel Adaptable to different environments and needs to UN Peacekeeping Operations U The UN has demonstrated an increased flexibility in the structures and types of its 12.000 As of 31st March 2008 10 629 field deployments. This flexibility has allowed it to respond to unique challenges and l

e 10.000 9 047 n

n 8 964 the risk of overstretch.

o 9.000 s r e 8.000 U P

The UN increasingly works in peacekeeping partnerships with other international and d 7.000 e

m regional organizations, such as the African Union (AU) or the (EU), r 6.000 5 415 o f i

n 5.000 for maximum effect. U

f 3 667 o

4.000 3 312

r UN peacekeeping continues to evolve 3 077 3 008 e

b 3.000 2 873 2 589 2 558

m 1 978 1 924 u 2.000 1 828 1 771 In addition to maintaining peace and security, peacekeepers are increasingly charged N 1 562 1 345 with assisting in political processes, reforming judicial systems, training law enforcement 1 277 1 251 1 230 and police forces, disarming and reintegrating former combatants, and supporting the

l l l t i y y n h a a a n a a e a a o n n l i i a a i i i p z l s a c c c a r n a d n a i d p g i r p y a return of internally displaced persons and refugees. t a t c e r u n e a d n I r s n e f e h e o g p r i i o d I g a g h a i r n r B A o B E S k N C h a u

l w t G o e J r F a N h g t E R S U P M UN electoral assistance has become an increasingly essential feature in UN peace n u a o B S operations. Holding its personnel accountable to the highest standards of behavior is a major Top 20 Providers of Assessed Contributions priority for UN peacekeeping. For example, UN peacekeeping has adopted a to UN Peacekeeping Budget comprehensive three-pronged strategy (prevention, enforcement and remediation) to As of 1st January 2008 address the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel. UN peacekeeping

s 30% has established conduct and discipline units at. n o

i 26% t

u 25% In 2007 alone, UN peacekeeping operated: 20 military hospitals and over 230 medical b i r t

n clinics; more than 18,000 vehicles and 210 aircraft; 450 satellite earth stations; 40,000 o 20% 17% C

d desktop computers and 2,800 servers, with approximately 3.5 million emails and 2.5 e

s 15% s

e million phone calls routed every month (approximately 1 per second) and an average of s s A

10% 9% 200 video conferences held per month. f o

7% 7% e 5% g 5% As part of UN peacekeeping, mine clearance operations managed by the UN Mine a

t 3% 3% 3%

n 2% 2% 2%

e 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% Action Service are supporting the deployment of peacekeepers and the fulfilment of c

r 0% e . y y s y k n e a a n a a d n a e P A K l i i i m d r their mandates. l c n d a c a n d e r n e a S i a U u e t a r t a n a n i e p a a d w I h r p s l o F U r a t a g e a n m r e

l l m u r r S C s K o J r r a n e n

e w F A u f e z G e e N a Mine action teams have so far cleared 50% of the main roads in southern Sudan, C t i B S o i h A

D G s t . w s e p S u

N allowing peacekeeping and relief convoys to move through the area. e R R The UN Mine Action Centre for Afghanistan has cleared landmines and explosive remnants of war from more than 1 billion square meters of land.

8-9 s u c o F

n i

y

a Weapons – d o

T Under Control! On 14–18 July, New York hosted the Third UN Conference to review the UN Programme of Action to Onprevent, suppress and combat illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. During the five days, participants of the Conference discussed the results as well as the obstacles impeding the implementation of the UN Programme of Action, adopted in 2001. The agenda included such issues as the identification and suppression of illegal flows of small arms and light weapons, safekeeping of stockpiles, and efforts to strengthen international cooperation in this area. Addressing the Conference participants, the UN Secretary-General noted that such conferences should not only develop plans for combating illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, but also encourage active efforts. Much has been done around the world to conclude a Treaty on Trade in Arms. In 2006, the First Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution “Towards a Irresponsible arms trade leads to arms being obtained more frequently by people who commit Treaty on Trade in Arms: Establishment of serious human rights violations. The official data suggest that 639 million units of small arms are Common International Standards Relating to circulating worldwide one submachine-gun, one pistol and one rifle per every 10 people! The Import, Export and Transfer of Conventional annual production of live cartridges totals 14 billion or 2 per every person. Weapons”. The Resolution was supported by 139 UN member states. The US delegation was the only one to vote against. On the eve of the International Conference, a 24 countries, including Russia and Belarus, roundtable was held in Golshany, a village in In 2007, Belarus began to implement the abstained. the Grodno region, focusing on the prevention Capacity Building of Small Arms and Light of violence and illicit trade in arms. It was Weapons (SALW) Stockpile Management Since 2003, hundreds of international and and Security Project. The project will national non-governmental organizations organized by “SKAF”, Center for support of public associations and funds, within the enable the SALW stockpile management participating in the Global Campaign framework of the Global Week of Action against and security within Belarus to be at a level “Weapons – Under Control!”, including Gun Violence 2008. The event was supported corresponding both to national Amnesty International, have been striving for by the UN Office in Belarus and brought requirements and to recommendations set the adoption of a mandatory international treaty together representatives of education out in the UN Integrated Disarmament that would introduce strict control over the establishments, law enforcement agencies and Demobilization and Reintegration international arms trade, a common cause of experts from the Department of International Standards (IDDRS) and the OSCE SALW Best Practice Guide 'Stockpile conflicts, deep poverty and serious human Security and Disarmament of the Belarusian Management and Security'. The project rights violations. Ministry of Internal Affairs. will be a major element in the development of such systems within the Belarusian Currently, over 1,000 companies in about 100 countries are involved in small arms production. Ministry of Defense, and has the potential 30 companies are major producers of weapons. About 80% of countries do not have specific to provide methodologies for replication in laws or regulations on broker business within weapon export control systems. In many cases, it other areas throughout Central and is unclear whether such business is regulated by any laws at all. Eastern Europe. ?

t UN BULLETIN a h t

w o n k

u o y AIDS Candlelight d i

D Memorial Observed This action was first held in 1983 in San-Francisco, USA, organized Every Year in May by people who had lost their friends or relatives and had been Thisaffected by HIV/AIDS. Today AIDS Candlelight Memorial is observed worldwide on the third Sunday of every May under the slogan “Never Give Up. Never Forget”. Different countries have their own traditions and ceremonials including services for the dead, candlelight processions, charitable, advocacy and artistic events (including exhibitions of quilts to commemorate those who have died of AIDS). These events are intended to commemorate AIDS victims, to support people living with HIV/AIDS, to raise public awareness, to eliminate HIV stigma and to mobilize communities to combat AIDS-related issues. On this day, people pin a red ribbon to their clothes as a symbol of sorrow and in commemoration of the millions who have died of AIDS. It is also a symbol of solidarity with people living with HIV and demonstrates the recognition that AIDS may affect everyone irrespective of nationality, gender and age. Most importantly, it is a symbol of hope that humankind will overcome the disease. The Minsk City Park of Victory hosted a cross-country race with the slogan "Make your Promise Understanding, tolerance, mutual support and in Fighting AIDS" depicted on the runners' T-shirts solidarity is the only way to address HIV-related problems at the community and global level. Ceremonials in Minsk included a showing of The AIDS Candlelight Memorial is a prominent the Russian documentary “25 years – to Today more than 33 million people opportunity to demonstrate the readiness and remember and to understand. Remain human!” worldwide are living with HIV. Since the willingness to avert an AIDS crisis, to and the French film “Witnesses”. A “Red epidemic began just over 20 years ago, emphasize that HIV may affect everyone, to Ribbon” made of flowers was placed in a AIDS has killed 25 million people. This is show that the risk remains high and to explain boarding school in the Zhdanovichi village near more than the number of people who died how to avoid it. Minsk. In Svetlogorsk, members of mutual during World War II. Estimates by UNAIDS This year, the AIDS Candlelight Memorial was support teams surveyed residents on their and WHO suggest that every day, more observed in Belarus on 17 May. Candles were attitudes to HIV and people living with HIV and than 6,800 people become infected with lit in Minsk, Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, Grodno and distributed booklets advocating HIV-testing. HIV and over 5,700 people die of AIDS. Mogilev to commemorate those who have died The “Brigantine” movie theatre in Vitebsk of AIDS. housed a photo exhibition contributed to by members of the mutual support teams for people living with HIV and the regional According to the official statistics, 9,194 HIV infections were registered in Belarus as of 1 July association responsible for organizing out-of- 2008. 457 new HIV-positive diagnoses were reported in the first half of 2008 (versus 544 during school events. Balloons with the names of the six months of 2007). people who have died of AIDS were launched. During the whole HIV surveillance period, the most infections (4,851) have been reported in the 25 trees to commemorate residents who have Gomel oblast; 1,297 in the city of Minsk and 1,155 in the Minsk region. Though injecting drug use died of AIDS were planted in the continues to be the main transmission mode among total infections registered in Belarus, Dnepropetrovsky park in Zhlobin. 97 red accounting for 58.1% (5,344 infections), in recent years more and more people appear to be ribbons were tied to an oak sapling along the contracting HIV via sexual transmission (57.2% in 2005 and 66.8 % in 2007). During six months main path in Brest's city park to symbolize the of 2008 this mode accounted for 72.6 % (332 infections). number of people who have died of AIDS in the region.

10-11 World Population Day There are about 3 billion people under 25 living in the world. International Youth Day provides a unique opportunity to learn the huge The universal theme of World Population Day 2008 is “Family potential of the world's youth. The Day celebration is a great occasion to Planning” as proposed by the United Nations Population Fund. get young people involved in dealing with global challenges. This year UN member states have an opportunity to consider “Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action” is the theme for the issues of effective family planning for protecting health of International Youth Day 2008 which is aimed at drawing attention to the r women, mothers and children. impact of the climate change on communities, and using the energy and

a The Belarusian Ministry of Health informed that due to the bold ideas of young people for making our planet safer and committed work of family planning services in Belarus, the

d environmentally sustainable. number of abortions has declined twofold over the past 5 years.

n Belarus has adopted a national Programme “Youth of Belarus” for However, despite the decrease in the absolute number of 2006–2010. Among its priorities is environmental education through e abortions, they still remain the major way to regulate fertility.

l development of youth tourism and promotion of healthy lifestyles. Youth environmental public associations are actively engaged in ecological a education of young people promoting environmental values and

C supporting nature protection activities.

N International Day of the Disappeared International Day of the Disappeared has been observed on 30 August U each year since 2006. The Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances was established in 1980 by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. On this day, the experts of the Working Group call upon all countries of the world to counteract illegal disappearances, especially secret detentions. On 20 December 2006, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. 57 states signed the Convention in February 2007.

The number of women using different types of contraceptives has substantially grown in Belarus reaching 45 percent of all reproductive age women. World Population Day was initiated on 11 July 1989. Two years before, on 11 July 1987, the world population exceeded 5 billion. The first World Population Day was observed by more than 90 countries worldwide in 1990. The objective of this day is to draw attention to the urgency and critical importance of resolving population problems within the development agenda of states and the international community as a whole. It is annually observed on 11 July. International Youth Day Observed on 12 August, International Youth Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly at the initiative of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held in Lisbon in 1998.

The Convention obliges the UN member states to undertake the effective legislative, administrative, and judicial measures to prevent and stop enforced disappearances. The Convention outlaws secret prisons and commits the states parties to inform the families of the whereabouts of their relatives. Belarus has yet to sign the Convention. UN on-line lev be in dec int The k pea and c obj Thi pov mis mee wit pea pov aga bas The w The m Inf inf goa Dev sta (20 The w Sec for l Int Nat The n was c Glo uni Era dev cel The w has b In htt of U htt Ef Co Co Fi Apr ern orm orm ern h thi el me p:/ p:/ ebr ect rti que a s inf gh 08– sio ion bal F dic ent e ert ert ic do elo ast ce- cek ins ls fo fo ond I elo tin mm or for ng fr rea een c ey st /ww /ww ati rea ew we ati il, t ive ebs ebs ebs ati ati y pre y andr ain o ns isa ati ati s asawa t theg pme gs wi ing p kee s pro pme 201 orm eep rt N Pe med a ti r pov ona ona eti cum ood C ons mpl nd dy di on ab tin he UNS on an on ofe nte s. ted w om 19 ite i ite p ite w w ng G s toE ake pin ngs 7). Thewe rea ing e nt go ati g inc bje The f ven em nt Pr .un .un eac l lawa ll bec na l Fun ble rna bsi . Her oym ent htt lso a ert lob egi s int on wi g, po bou hol rov nam cti ted f out U ith , bil d oth ris .or .or tio te m. Itc e. tio y era p:/ 48 tot xtr s andu ome al in f ac y tohe als f ogr ona ti irs for ent ve oft in th or is co d of der e youc ide ecr n effort end t thew vai nal D g/r g/i onv ate nd th eme p /ww lo ic in lit or th on o t mee ll beu ts. Thech amm er ag . N pea l andi cre s dat orm ici ek s, me -ge ssu eta lab dic uss ra at e fra ral c ont ed toh Agr bsi ene mpr ba he pr ans str w he T lp wa eca sef e UNpe e gen ase i ati ry- le he ner ula ork o .un in es/ te wi ain s, su an fi di tin e, UND ove ian enc ee icu sef a abo ume d whe ons isi mew cek mbe on tob nte , mas l Fo ul li Gen f In de fo g wash ati ask F ese ted i s use foo g 60 ng re ltu .or ca /ev ul fo n foo r-t elp p rty i ies re. nd ou era ll en ult ron pi ch asr rna f theT eep ng op nt de nks r ral D orm c r sta ork o era g/e nt. I ut UNp d/t ent . n nec n theM ati ace s med r theE s amo te P r per l pub olo ng tio orc epa te pre ful i od C e ach eop ing o d pri abl ask l setu ven ons a t abo s/2 ela t con vel eld i tes a nal o eve por kee ask F gy ofp f theU e istoc th A oun edu sen rn e int rtm nfo ess le li son lic ces ope for nd_ ted t ia, e ts/ ng th per tun iev rad eac lop n mid pin ill . ov ut th nd th tai rma ent o nd ge tri cin tat rga p a at vin ary t pea ern s int eni ce/ orc . ri ed mo ati d byth iti men es cr dec ica g's 6 ns up o int xpe nit eke eac T ive g thep nn e mos niz es, n g inex ask F ont tio er io um De T ons a si ati e his e thr -Ma cek e web ed Na tio f Pub ere ask F o ach s ofth ner ade rts i epi n abo eke ati t, UN ona ern eat 0th a rib s na n ofPo ty iv -to re effic ste ew jo e Uni eep y ons d al pu tor oug ng effor orc ute t t ess s wel . n _po epi ove ati e con tre lic lly a -da er cla orc iev sit tio d in l y ofa e ut ke nni ona e ing h hig me ng e ns rat rty g e thes bs an ted te e on bli ver o effort sa eal ent gre ver ien l as ver dit 60/ c wil ion l y ts ty ing ial ed ty h tly ap ion sar ry . d

. et l s s y 12-13 2008 Honouring 60 Years of United

1948 Nations Peacekeeping