ISLAMABAD: A recent assessment of global peacekeeping efforts has revealed that deployments under United Nations-led multilateral peace operations have declined significantly—by over 40 percent between 2015 and 2024—largely due to financial constraints and increasing geopolitical friction.
The review outlines the growing strain on international peacekeeping as funding dries up and powerful states prioritize military buildup over humanitarian engagement.
In 2024 alone, 61 multilateral peacekeeping missions were operational worldwide. However, the steady decline in deployments underscores the mounting challenges facing global conflict management.
The United Nations, once seen as the primary forum for coordinating peace efforts, now faces internal divisions and financial shortfalls that limit its effectiveness.
Financial Challenges and Strategic Shifts
Peace operations are increasingly vulnerable due to shifting priorities of major contributors like the United States and European nations, who are redirecting funds from peacekeeping to defense spending.
This trend is expected to worsen in 2025. Many existing missions have been hampered by inconsistent financing, and no large-scale UN-led operations have been initiated in recent years despite the rise in global conflicts.
A critical liquidity crisis has gripped the UN’s peacekeeping budget as countries delay or partially fulfill their financial commitments.
Missions led by regional organizations are also feeling the effects of these funding gaps, leading to scaled-down efforts or stalled operations. The peacekeeping mandate discussions in 2024 remained contentious, with minimal consensus among Security Council members.
Security Council Deadlocks and Operational Delays
One of the key examples of these operational delays is the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. Despite being proposed in 2022, the mission only began initial deployments in mid-2024 due to prolonged disagreements within the UN Security Council. In the meantime, violence and unrest in Haiti continued to escalate, highlighting the consequences of diplomatic inaction.
The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), established in 1951, remains one of the longest-serving peacekeeping missions. Today, it operates with just 41 military observers and 25 civilian staff, reflecting the broader trend of downsizing.
Experts warn that if internal divisions persist, more countries may move away from the UN framework in favor of unilateral or regional strategies, potentially undermining the credibility and coordination of international peace efforts.
