Serving the Future with UNGSC: Supporting transitions in peace operations

In the changing landscape of peace operations, UNGSC's support for missions at all stages of their life cycle has become increasingly critical.? The abrupt termination of MINUSMA (the decade-long UN peacekeeping mission in Mali) is a key example. Recognized as one of the most difficult environments known to peacekeeping, its drawdown and liquidation posed significant challenges.? To tackle them effectively, UNGSC summoned lessons from previous experiences, namely the African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

Gianluca Avantaggiato, who provided remote support for UNAMID on behalf of UNGSC, shared his insights: “During mission closure, the environment becomes less safe, as contingents are repatriated. Fewer resources are available to carry out very demanding tasks. Furthermore, many people lose their position, often after many years of service. On the logistical side, a major challenge with liquidations had been the excess of UN assets. Based on lessons from UNAMID, we are now focusing on procurement optimization at an earlier stage. We have also deepened the cost-benefit analysis for the 3R (Return-Refurbish-Reuse) Programme, to determine which assets should be returned to our Base in Brindisi for refurbishment and reuse in other missions, versus which should be disposed of locally." ?

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While the experience with UNAMID strengthened UNGSC's capacity to manage the closure of large missions, the condensed timeline of the MINUSMA drawdown (six months - from June to December of 2023 - for a process that would normally require two years) was unprecedented. "The drawdown of MINUSMA was a complex undertaking," noted MINUSMA Director of Mission Support, Anton Antchev. "Its accomplishment within the short time allocated was made possible thanks to effective collaboration among all stakeholders within DOS including UNGSC, as its operational?arm."

Under the guidance of DOS and the Office of Supply Chain Management, and in cooperation with the Regional Service Centre Entebbe, UNGSC immediately mobilized to provide on-site and remote support, as well as to divert equipment destined for Mali to other missions and evaluate high-value mission assets for the 3R Programme.

Global Property Management Assistant, Pietro Antonio Suma, spoke to us from Bamako, while supporting property disposal in a temporary duty capacity: “Everything is urgent. We work against the clock, with a reduced number of personnel. Although final figures can only be confirmed at the end of the liquidation, overall, 17,300 assets and equipment, with an acquisition value of USD $73M, were identified for transfer to other UN operations and entities.”

Special attention was also allocated to environmental clean-up: “In the case of MINUSMA, instances of internal conflict encroaching upon UN camps required us to implement contingency measures. Together with the mission’s environmental team and engineers, we mitigated risks associated with hazardous waste, preventing harm to the environment and local populations,” explained Ricardo Alonso Torres Quispe, Environmental Engineer.

“On the ground, needs evolve constantly, and you must adapt," added Michele Iaia, UNGSC Logistics Assistant. "Despite the difficulties, it is also rewarding to participate in these processes, especially the gifting of items destined to serve schools and other local entities.”

Commenting on the magnitude of the workload in the context of overlapping mission closures, Herbert Pechek, Chief of UNGSC's Supply Chain Service noted that "assisting mission start-ups, transitions, and closures has always been a key area of support provided by our teams. However, handling numerous transitions and closures at once is entirely new territory. Kudos to colleagues across UNGSC and missions for their professionalism and exemplary drive.”?

?Learn more in the articles "Mission Closure, the Human Dimension: Reflections and Lessons Learned from UNAMID" and "MINUSMA’s Drawdown and Liquidation: Operational Insights"

in our 30th anniversary publication Of Service: Stories of Solutions and Impact 1994-2024 (p.42-48).

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