Partnering for Troop Supply

In 2009 the New Horizon non-paper published by the UN Departments of Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support (DPKO/DFS) committed to, among other reforms, expanding the base of troop contributors to UN peacekeeping. After describing contribution patterns and partnering options open to states and organizations, this article argues that the most promising options involve drawing on the universe of existing contributors, the two main pillars of which are a group of states that cluster together under the UN and another that cluster together around cross-cutting ‘Western’ agendas. The article recommends that the UN initiate the formation of Standing High-Readiness Battalions and suggests countries that should be approached. It further recommends that UN and non-UN contributors build on existing divisions of labour involving parallel, sequential and hybrid operations.