The primary objective of peacekeeping operations is to protect civilians from harm, particularly in situations of armed conflict.

The Security Council is the UN body responsible for authorizing peacekeeping operations.

Peacekeeping is short-term, focused on preventing conflict, and carried out by military forces, while peacebuilding is long-term, focused on resolving conflict, and carried out by civilian personnel.

Peacekeeping operations face a number of challenges, including lack of funding, lack of political will, and lack of cooperation from the parties to the conflict.

SSR plays a critical role in peacekeeping operations by helping to build a more effective and accountable security sector, promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law, and supporting the development of democratic institutions.

SSR in peacekeeping operations faces a number of challenges, including lack of capacity and resources, lack of political will, and lack of cooperation from the parties to the conflict.

Best practices for SSR in peacekeeping operations include engaging with all stakeholders, building local ownership, and ensuring sustainability.

The UN plays a critical role in SSR by providing technical assistance to countries undergoing SSR, promoting international cooperation on SSR, and monitoring and evaluating SSR progress.

The UN faces a number of challenges in its role in SSR, including lack of funding, lack of political will, and lack of capacity and expertise.

Best practices for the UN in its role in SSR include engaging with all stakeholders, building local ownership, and ensuring sustainability.

Peacekeeping and SSR are mutually reinforcing. Peacekeeping can help create a secure environment for SSR, while SSR can help build a more sustainable peace.

The relationship between peacekeeping and SSR faces a number of challenges, including lack of coordination between peacekeeping and SSR actors, lack of resources, and lack of political will.

Best practices for strengthening the relationship between peacekeeping and SSR include improving coordination between peacekeeping and SSR actors, increasing resources for peacekeeping and SSR, and building political will for peacekeeping and SSR.

Peacekeeping and SSR are likely to become more important in the future as the world faces new and emerging challenges to peace and security.

The future of peacekeeping and SSR will be shaped by a number of key trends, including the increasing complexity of conflicts, the rise of non-state armed groups, and the growing importance of technology.