Dr Jaïr van der Lijn, Head of the SIPRI Peace Operations and Conflict Management Programme, featured on a panel discussion on peacekeeping arrangements between intergovernmental organisations at the recent Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa, 13–14 November 2017.
In this landmark conference, opened by Macky Sall, President of Senegal, and featuring participation from African and European heads of state and ministers, as well as top representatives of intergovernmental organisations and agencies, SIPRI presented the outcomes and recommendations of the New Geopolitics of Peace Operations: Africa initiative. The project examines the future of peace operations in Africa; what is required to make them fit for purpose; and the need for a equitable and balanced global–regional partnership between Africa and external actors.
Timo Smit, Researcher with the SIPRI Peace Operations and Conflict Management Programme, also contributed to the conference book with a piece on subsidiarity in the field of peace operations between the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU) and sub-regional organisations.
SIPRI will continue with the next phase of the new geopolitics of peace operations, focussing on non-traditional security challenges. This aims to enhance understanding about UN and non-UN peace operations and their role in dealing with non-traditional security challenges, specifically, terrorism and violent extremism, irregular migration, piracy, organized crime and environmental degradation.