UNITED NATIONS: (DNA) – Expressing concern over the increasing number of fatalities suffered by the United Nations peacekeepers operating at hotspots around the world, Pakistan has underscored the need for ensuring not only their security but also their safety.

“While security will remain a challenge and will vary from mission to mission, the safety side of the coin can be addressed by adequately equipping peacekeepers with training and necessary equipment, and better health facilities on the ground,” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said at a peacekeeping event co-hosted by Pakistan at the UN Headquarters in New York.

It was the first meeting on a triangular formula – training and capacity building, safety and security, and performance — that comprised China, Egypt, Indonesia and Morocco.

Panelists at the event included the under-sectaries general of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Department of Field Support as well as high-level dignitaries visiting for the peacekeeping ministerial meeting.

Ambassador Lodhi said that between 2014 and 2019, 193 peacekeepers lost their lives due to deliberate attacks, 117 due to accidents, 231 as a result of illness and 69 were listed under other causes.

She said it was important for the troop and police contributing countries, the Security Council and the secretariat to work together, enabling better decision making related to planning of peacekeeping missions.

Pakistan is one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping, with over 5,000 troops serving in missions around the world.

Ambassador Lodhi held out the assurance that Pakistan as the co-chair of the Group of Troop and Police Contributing Countries in collaboration with other members would continue its efforts to generate new ideas and innovative solutions to meet the challenges in modern peacekeeping.