USI Annual UN Forum 2024: Changing Characters of Conflicts
The United Services Institution of India (USI) hosted its Annual UN Forum on 27-28 November 2024, focusing on the “Changing Character of Conflicts, Challenges to Peace Operations and International Humanitarian Law.”
Opening Session
Maj Gen PK Goswami (DDG, USI) set the conference tone by highlighting the evolution of modern conflicts. He emphasized the importance of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in addressing the complexities of asymmetric warfare and stressed the emergence of non-traditional security threats like climate change and organized crime.
Maj Gen BK Sharma (DG, USI) delivered a sobering assessment of global security, revealing that 32 countries are currently at war, with 195 million people trapped in conflict zones. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to UN peacekeeping and advocated for institutional reforms.
Lt Gen Rakesh Kapoor AVSM, VSM, DCOAS (IS & C) provided a comprehensive overview of global conflict dynamics. His keynote address highlighted:
- 92 conflicts across 52 countries
- Increasing human-centric nature of warfare
- Technology’s transformative role in modern conflicts
- Emergence of full-scale, grey zone, and hybrid war categories
Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj (Former Indian Permanent Representative to the UN) spotlighted India’s significant peacekeeping contributions. She noted that 177 Indian peacekeepers have sacrificed their lives for global peace and underscored a landmark UN resolution supported by 192 nations. She also called for applying IHL to modern warfare (cyber, drones, autonomous weapons) & ensuring humanitarian access in crises like Gaza. Amb. Kamboj urged strategic adaptation, real-time data via tech, local involvement, and stronger coordination for peacebuilding.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix (UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations) marked the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, emphasizing the ongoing challenges in global peacekeeping efforts. Mr Lacroix highlighted growing challenges, including attacks on peacekeepers, echoing Maj Gen Goswami’s call for adaptation to new threats. He paid tribute to Indian peacekeepers for their dedication and contributions to global peacekeeping efforts.
Kedir Awol Omar from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stressed the crucial importance of implementing humanitarian law to protect civilians in conflict zones.
Key Takeaways
The opening session underscored the urgent need to:
- Adapt international legal frameworks
- Address technological challenges in warfare
- Recognize emerging non-traditional security threats
- Enhance humanitarian approaches to conflict resolution
The forum highlighted India’s critical role in global peacekeeping and the complex, evolving nature of contemporary conflicts.
Session 1: Changing Character of Armed Conflict
Maj Gen BK Sharma, Director General of United Services Institution of India (USI), chaired the session that delved into the transforming landscape of global conflicts, challenging existing paradigms of international security.
Maj Gen Alok Deb, a distinguished military strategist, provided a comprehensive historical analysis of conflicts. Tracing warfare from the Boxer Rebellion to the current Ukraine conflict, he highlighted how geopolitical contestations, resource disputes, and nationalist sentiments drive contemporary conflicts. Deb introduced the innovative concept of “climate security” and emphasized the democratization of warfare, where non-state actors like drug cartels now challenge national governments.
Maj Gen (Dr) Pawan Anand, a technology and security expert, offered an in-depth examination of technological threats in modern warfare. He meticulously detailed emerging cyber risks, including sophisticated supply chain compromises and complex disinformation campaigns. Dr. Anand critically analyzed AI’s potential weaponization, highlighting the risks associated with autonomous weapons and stressing the importance of developing transparent, trustworthy technological systems in conflict scenarios.
Ingvild Brodtkorb, Research Fellow at The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, presented a groundbreaking perspective on climate change’s role in conflict generation. Drawing from the IPCC 2022 report, she demonstrated how environmental pressures create complex conflict dynamics. Using specific case studies from South Sudan and Central African Republic, Brodtkorb illustrated how climate-induced environmental changes exacerbate social tensions through resource scarcity, migration patterns, and population displacement.
Dr. Andrei Kozik, Regional Legal Advisor for South Asia at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), delivered a nuanced critique of current situation of non-compliance with IHL. He examined the global failure to protect civilians in armed conflicts and the dehumanizing effects of modern warfare technologies like drone warfare. Drawing from ICRC’s direct experiences in Nagorno-Karabakh and Ukraine, Dr. Kozik explored the delicate balance between military necessity and humanity.
The session conclusively highlighted the multifaceted nature of contemporary conflicts, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive legal frameworks, technological understanding, and holistic approaches to global security challenges that transcend traditional military thinking.
Session 2: Evolving Conflicts – Challenges to Peace Operations and International Humanitarian Law
The second session of the USI Annual UN Forum explored the contemporary challenges and future trajectories of global peacekeeping operations, featuring insights from international experts representing diverse organizations and academic institutions.
Kath Stewart, FAS Coordinator based in Bangkok, expanded the traditional understanding of peace operations. She articulated a broader scope extending beyond conventional peacekeeping, encompassing critical functions like ceasefire monitoring, electoral support, enforcement mechanisms, and humanitarian aid. Stewart emphasized the crucial need for states to ratify core International Humanitarian Law (IHL) treaties and adopt national implementation measures.
Prof. Bharat Desai from Jawaharlal Nehru University provided a comprehensive statistical overview of UN peacekeeping. He detailed the current operational landscape, highlighting 77,650 peacekeeping personnel deployed across 11 global operations, supported by a $6.38 billion budget. Desai critically examined UN Security Council mandates, explaining peacekeeping mechanisms under Chapter 6 (Pacific Settlement of Disputes) and Chapter 7 (Action Against Aggression) of the UN Charter.
Annika Hilding Norberg, Head of Peace Operations at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), discussed the fundamental principles of peacekeeping. She stressed the importance of trust, universality, and solidarity, emphasizing that successful peacekeeping depends on legitimacy, adaptability, and national ownership. Norberg advocated for an empathy-driven leadership approach, highlighting the necessity of competence, commitment, and nuanced interpersonal skills.
The session critically analyzed the evolving challenges in global peacekeeping. Speakers unanimously recognized the need for adaptive strategies that can respond to complex, dynamic conflict environments. They underscored the importance of protecting peacekeepers, building local capacities, and ensuring mission legitimacy through impartial and consensual approaches.
Key recommendations emerging from the session included strengthening international legal frameworks, enhancing technological capabilities for peacekeeping missions, promoting diverse leadership, and developing more flexible, context-sensitive intervention strategies.
The session concluded by emphasizing that the future of peacekeeping lies in continuous adaptation, strategic innovation, and a holistic understanding of emerging global security challenges.
Day 2
Plenary Session:
The day’s proceedings commenced with welcome remarks by Maj Gen PK Goswami, Deputy Director General of USI, who set an optimistic tone for the forum’s discussions. Alexandre Zhouev, Assistant Secretary-General of the UN, delivered a recorded message that highlighted two pivotal UN documents: the New Agenda for Peace (2023) focusing on conflict prevention and the New Vision for Rule of Law emphasizing inclusivity and strong institutional development.
Ambassador Asoke Mukerji, drawing from his extensive experience as India’s former Permanent Representative to the UN, delivered a nuanced address on peacekeeping challenges. He emphasized India’s substantial peacekeeping contributions while critically examining the need for more inclusive decision-making processes within international peacekeeping structures. Mukerji stressed the importance of empowering troop-contributing nations with equal representation in UN Security Council operations.
Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, provided profound insights into the contemporary landscape of global conflicts. He articulated how conflicts are becoming increasingly “normalized” and highlighted the emerging digital-era challenges such as misinformation and hate speech that pose significant risks to community stability. Sharp lauded India’s remarkable peacekeeping efforts, specifically acknowledging the country’s 6,000 troops and paying tribute to the 179 peacekeepers who made the ultimate sacrifice. He particularly celebrated India’s historic all-women peacekeeping unit in Liberia as a testament to the country’s progressive approach to international peacekeeping.
The plenary session underscored the complex and evolving nature of global peacekeeping, illuminating the critical challenges in international humanitarian operations while simultaneously highlighting India’s pivotal and transformative role in UN peace missions. The discussions set a robust foundation for the subsequent sessions, emphasizing the need for adaptive, inclusive, and innovative approaches to global peace and security.
Session 3A: Protection of Civilians and Peacekeepers
The session on “Protection of Civilians and Peacekeepers” was chaired by Maj Gen M.P. Bhagat (Retd), who opened with a powerful statement that “the people make the UN.” He critically highlighted how national interests, particularly mineral exploitation, often compromise the protection of vulnerable populations in conflict zones.
Maj. Gen. (Dr) AK Bardalai (Retd), former Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL, expanded on the complexity of civilian threats. Drawing from his extensive experience in Lebanon, he emphasized that threats extend beyond physical harm to include environmental disasters. Bardalai stressed that local perceptions of peacekeepers are crucial to mission success, asserting that when peacekeepers fail to protect civilians, the entire mission’s legitimacy is undermined.
Brig. Narendra Singh provided critical insights into the vulnerabilities of UN missions. He underscored the fundamental peacekeeping principles of consent, impartiality, and limited force use. Singh advocated for proactive approaches, emphasizing the need for well-trained troops, technological integration for threat assessment, and cohesive mission coordination.
Meher Dev from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) offered an IHL perspective on the protection of civilian population. She elaborated on key International Humanitarian Law principles: distinction (ensuring civilians are not targeted), proportionality in weapon use, and precautionary measures like advance warnings. Dev particularly emphasized the critical importance of protecting medical facilities, ensuring medical treatment access, and safeguarding children’s basic rights.
The session painted a comprehensive picture of the multifaceted challenges in protecting civilians during conflicts, highlighting the need for adaptive, principled, and human-centric peacekeeping approaches. The speakers unanimously emphasized that effective civilian protection requires more than military strategy—it demands a holistic understanding of local contexts, legal frameworks, and humanitarian principles.
Session 3 (B): Climate Change and Security Challenges
Lt. Gen S. Tinaikar (Retd), former Force Commander of UNMISS, opened the session with a stark assessment of the climate crisis, emphasizing 2024 as a critical year for understanding climate’s impact on global security. He articulated the complex relationship between climate change and conflict, noting that while climate may not directly cause conflicts, its security implications are undeniable.
Ingvild Brodtkorb from The Norwegian Institute of International Affairs provided a detailed analysis of climate change’s operational challenges for peacekeeping missions. She highlighted that of the 15 countries hosting peacekeeping missions, 8 are facing severe climate crises. Brodtkorb emphasized how climate challenges affect mission logistics, mobility, and access to communities, fundamentally altering peacekeeping approaches from long-term solutions to immediate short-term measures.
Dr. Dhanashree Jairam offered a nuanced perspective on climate-security intersections, focusing on specific regional challenges. She explored critical issues including transboundary river tensions, Himalayan territorial challenges, and maritime security implications. Of particular concern were the heating of the Indian Ocean, rising sea levels, and intensifying cyclones that threatened coastal regions and naval bases.
The session underscored the urgent need for integrated approaches to climate-security challenges. Speakers unanimously emphasized the importance of contextual assessments, adaptive strategies, and collaborative efforts to address the evolving climate-security landscape. The discussions highlighted how climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, but a critical factor in global peace and security operations.
Key recommendations included incorporating climate advisors in peacekeeping missions, developing more flexible operational approaches, and creating systematic methods to integrate climate factors into mission planning and execution.
Session 3(C) Report: Women in UN Peace Operations
The session on “Women in UN Peace Operations” highlighted the critical role of women in peacekeeping, marking 25 years since the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Susan Ferguson from UN Women India emphasized how gender inequality fuels conflicts, while women peacekeepers serve as catalysts for community transformation.
Ms. Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, ASG and Deputy Executive Director, UN Women praised India’s contributions to gender equality, particularly highlighting the all-women contingent in Liberia as a pioneering example of women’s empowerment in peace operations.
Col. (Dr) KK Sharma provided crucial statistical insights, revealing that women currently constitute 8.5% of global peacekeepers. He underscored their significant contributions to operational analysis, human rights promotion, and reconciliation efforts.
Major Navita Kashyap shared field experiences, illustrating the unique challenges women peacekeepers face in conflict zones. She emphasized the importance of female engagement teams in building trust and serving as role models for local communities.
Major Radhika Sen, the 2023 Military Gender Advocate Award recipient, offered profound insights from her mission in Congo. She detailed strategies for engaging local populations, including conducting awareness programs, connecting victims with NGOs, and improving coordination between peacekeepers and local communities.
Annika Hilding Norberg highlighted progress, noting that UNPOL has already achieved its 2025 gender parity goals with 20% representation. She stressed the importance of celebrating progress while recognizing the ongoing need for improvement in women’s participation in peace operations.
The session unanimously concluded that women’s participation is not just a matter of equality, but a critical strategic imperative for effective, comprehensive peacekeeping efforts.
Session 4 Report: Future of Peacekeeping
The session explored the evolving landscape of global peace operations, featuring insights from leading international experts. Benoit Pylyser from Challenges Forum emphasized the critical need for UN member states to reaffirm their commitment to global peace, highlighting the concerning trend of dwindling peace operations amid increasing conflicts.
Lt. Gen. JS Lidder (Retd) characterized the current moment as an inflexion point for global peace efforts, asserting that UN peacekeeping remains the sole legitimate global peacekeeping mechanism. He raised crucial questions about the effectiveness of existing UN peacekeeping models in addressing modern complex challenges.
Ai Kihara-Hunt from the University of Tokyo presented a forward-looking perspective, proposing 30 potential peacekeeping models that extend beyond traditional approaches. She stressed the importance of integrated planning across civilians, police, and other agents, and highlighted key success factors including strong Security Council leadership and effective member-state engagement.
Annika Hilding Norberg from the Global Centre for Strategic Peace offered a provocative analysis of emerging peacekeeping paradigms. She explored innovative concepts like robotic peace missions, Arctic and space peacekeeping, and pandemic peacekeeping, challenging the traditional understanding of global peace operations.
Col. (Dr) KK Sharma advocated for a bottom-up approach to peacekeeping, emphasizing the need to prioritize human security and community engagement over state-centric models. He shared examples of Indian peacekeepers’ community-focused interventions, such as humanitarian efforts during the DRC volcano eruption and flood mitigation in Mali.
Sandeep Bali from the ICRC provided a critical perspective on the evolving nature of armed conflicts. He highlighted the alarming rise of over 120 ongoing conflicts, many of which persist for years, accompanied by a growing number of armed groups. Drawing from the ICRC’s “Roots of Behaviour in War” and Roots of restraint studies, Mr Bali reiterated the continued relevance of Humanitarian Law (IHL)in addressing contemporary challenges.
He explored the study’s insights on combatant behaviour, exploring group dynamics such as conformity, obedience to authority, and pathological behaviours. Mr Bali argued that preventing violations requires a fundamental reimagining of IHL, advocating for its integration into operational conduct as a legal and political imperative rather than a mere moral guideline. He encouraged the peacekeepers to take guidance from ICRC studies and engage all stakeholders in dialogue and discussions to influence behaviour towards compliance of IHL. He also shared the ICRC‘s recent global initiative together with six states to galvanize political commitment to IHL.
The session concluded with a sobering assessment of global peace challenges, underscoring the need for adaptive, innovative, and people-centred approaches to international conflict resolution.
Closing Session Report: Future of Global Peace Operations
Ms Uma Sekhar, Additional Secretary (L&T), the Ministry of External Affairs delivered the Valedictory Address, highlighting the evolving nature of conflicts and the need for proactive peacekeeping approaches. She emphasized the core principles of UN Peacekeeping Operations: impartiality, non-use of force, and consent of parties.
Lt. Gen. Satish Nambiar (Retd) provided closing remarks, reflecting on the international community’s challenges and the critical role of women in peacekeeping while expressing concerns about the future of global peace efforts.
The USI Annual UN Forum 2024 comprehensively explored the changing character of conflicts, challenges to peace operations, and international humanitarian law. The two-day forum brought together global experts to discuss critical issues including women’s roles in peacekeeping, climate change’s security implications, and the future of humanitarian interventions.
