Contributions of Latin America and the Caribbean to UN peace operations and recommendations to increase this participation

Abstract

This in-depth study has been carried out at the request of and in cooperation with the signatory States of the Declaration of Lima and in coordination with the UN LCM. The objective of the study is to examine the main obstacles LAC countries currently face in contributing to UN peace operations and to suggest recommendations for addressing those challenges. This analysis is placed in the wider context of the evolution of the LAC countries’ past contributions and a discussion of the main strengths and added value to UN peace operations more generally. The study also examines some lessons from past and current cooperation arrangements across the region (at the bilateral and multilateral levels) and explores opportunities and limitations for strengthening regional approaches of cooperation and coordination (ranging from training to co-deployments) for enhanced participation in UN peace operations. Particular emphasis is placed on pragmatic recommendations that take into consideration the specific political, socio-economic and military contexts of the region and countries.