EU Statement – UN Security Council: Open debate on Strategic communications in Peacekeeping

First of all, let me thank you, Minister, for convening, for the first time at the Security Council, a discussion on such a topical subject. I would also like to thank the briefers for their insightful remarks.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^*, Albania^*, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, align themselves with this statement.

Strategic communications - whether through traditional media or new technologies – play an increasingly important role in peacekeeping mandate implementation. It is an essential tool in protecting civilians and promoting the safety and security of peacekeepers. We welcome in this regard the 2021 Strategy for the Digital Transformation of UN Peacekeeping and the Action for Peacekeeping plus, in which strategic communications is one of the priorities.

We would also like to take this opportunity to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of peace.

The EU closely works on the ground with UN peacekeeping operations and is ready to provide further support to the UN in this area. Close coordination among local and international partners, and an enhanced strategic communication vis-à-vis the local population and international media, are essential in particular to expose and denounce infringements of international norms by other actors.

While unintentional misinformation poses a challenge, the intentional targeting through information manipulation, including disinformation, by malign actors is particularly worrisome. With various levels of sophistication information manipulation actions can be either directed against the host country in broad terms; at the missions in general; or more specifically at undermining the missions’ and operations’ operational effectiveness, for instance by hindering its freedom of movement or targeting individual staff members. Unfortunately, over the last few years, there has been a significant increase in disinformation campaigns, using social media, or other platforms to target UN peacekeeping operations. In Mali, in CAR and DRC, this trend is particularly worrying, as described in the SG’s reports related to MINUSMA, MINUSCA and MONUSCO. These campaigns which often seek to incite hatred and violence, have not only an impact on the peacekeepers’ security and safety but also complicate their task of protecting civilians. Furthermore, they exacerbate tensions and foster instability in the concerned country and region.

We welcome DPO’s increased engagement in countering disinformation, along with the commitment of the Secretary General and the Department of Global Communications in countering disinformation in other areas. Sufficient staff and resources should be allocated to these critical activities, especially on the ground, close to the missions. It requires staff who have a good knowledge and understanding of the national and regional dynamics at play, and are able to engage with local populations at all levels, as well as with the media.

The rapidly evolving digital technologies make the scope and potential impact of the threat even greater. This is why it is key to increase investment and capabilities to protect UN peacekeeping operations, their staff and the host country from the devastating and undermining impact of information manipulation. This should be done through pro-active actions fighting misinformation and through fact-based and targeted UN strategic communication, using all media relevant to the theatre, including digital technologies but also radio and television when most adapted to the context, as well as through addressing gender disparities in access to information.

The EU is engaged in peace and security in the same volatile environments as the UN. Like the UN, the EU has also become a disinformation target.  In order to counter such activities, we have stepped up preparedness to protect our institutions and operational capacities. On 5 December 2018, the EU adopted an Action Plan against Disinformation with specific proposals for a coordinated EU response to tackle disinformation. The Action Plan builds on four pillars:

1) Improve our ability to detect, analyse and expose disinformation

2) Strengthen coordinated and joint responses by MS and EU institutions

3) Mobilise the private sector (online platforms) to tackle disinformation, and

4) Raise awareness and improve societal resilience to disinformation.

In addition and in line with the Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, we are currently developing an EU Toolbox to address and counter foreign information manipulation and interference, including in our CSDP missions and operations. This will contribute to an enhanced EU engagement on disinformation within the UN as well as to strengthen our preparedness for cooperation on the ground.

I want to thank the Presidency again for taking the initiative of today’s discussion and express the willingness of the EU to continue exchanging lessons learned and good practices with a view to improving the UN’s response to new challenges concerning strategic communications and peacekeeping.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.