UN sets up panel to rethink peacekeeping

UN chief Ban Ki-moon today appointed a blue-ribbon panel to recommend changes to international peacekeeping in the face of increasingly complex and dangerous conflicts.
The independent panel, chaired by former East Timor president Jose Ramos-Horta, includes 13 experts from a range of countries who will undertake the first major review of peace operations in 15 years.
"The world is changing and UN peace operations must change if they are to remain an indispensable and effective tool in promoting international peace and security," Ban said in a statement.
The panel will assess the UN's 16 peace operations and look at the needs of the future, from changing warfare to administrative arrangements of missions and the protection of civilians.

Earlier this month, Ban deplored what he called a "bloody October for UN peacekeeping" after a wave of attacks on blue helmets in Mali, Darfur and the Central African Republic left 14 dead in about two weeks.
The UN's 130,000 troops, police and civilian staff serving in missions worldwide are being drawn into more complex conflicts while being tasked with enforcing fragile peace deals.
The report of the high-level panel is to be presented to the UN General Assembly during the annual meeting in September 2015.