VZCZCXYZ0027
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0894/01 1211742
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 011742Z MAY 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8879

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000894 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC KUNR PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: UN: FIFTH COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER SG'S REPORT ON 
DISARMAMENT, DEMOBILIZATION AND REINTEGRATION 
 
 
¶1.    Summary.  The report of the Secretary-General (SYG) on 
disarmament, demobilization, and integration (A/60/705) notes 
an increased engagement of the United Nations in disarmament, 
demobilization and reintegration (DDR) processes in complex 
peacekeeping and non-peacekeeping operations over the past 
five years, including lessons learned from the operations. 
The report also addresses the development of a new approach 
to DDR within the United Nations system, based on lessons 
learned.  This new policy approach, referred to as the 
integrated DDR standards, was created by the Inter-Agency 
Working Group on DDR, comprising 15 United Nations agencies, 
departments, funds and programs.  The standards provide a 
comprehensive set of policies, guidelines and standard 
operating procedures on all aspects of DDR.  They emphasize: 
a people-centered approach, stressing the inclusion of 
intended participants, and beneficiaries, specific needs in 
DDR; a flexible, transparent and accountable approach; an 
integrated approach centered on the principles of 
integration, especially in the area of program planning and 
implementation; and a national ownership centered approach, 
encouraging governments and citizens in post-conflict 
countries to take on responsibility for DDR programming.  The 
conclusions and recommendations of the report are detailed 
below.  End summary. 
 
¶2.  Review of UN engagement in DDR since 2000: Since the 
issuance in 2000 of the SYG report on the role of UN 
peacekeeping in DDR (S/2000/101), six peacekeeping operations 
(MONUC, UNMIL, UNOCI, ONUB, MINUSTAH, UNMIS) have included 
DDR as part of their mandate.  The United Nations Development 
Program (UNDP) and other agencies, funds, departments and 
programs of the UN system have also played a key role in 
supporting the development of DDR programs, strategies and 
the implementation of a variety of activities.  The UN has 
placed particular emphasis on demobilizing and removing 
children used by armed forces and groups in situations of 
ongoing conflict. 
 
¶3.  Lessons learned: As a result of the UN engagement in DDR, 
a number of important lessons have been learned on how to 
approach this process going forward.  Some key lessons 
learned are: (a) DDR cannot be implemented in isolation from 
the broader peacebuilding and recovery process; (b) 
successful DDR is contingent on the political will of all 
parties to the conflict; (c) the sustainable reintegration of 
ex-combatants is a key objective and determinant of success; 
(d) given a number of converging factors, HIV/AIDS and sexual 
and gender-based violence are widespread in armed conflict 
and post-conflict environments and  DDR programs must include 
HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and treatment. 
 
¶4.  New UN approach to DDR: The Inter-Agency Working Group on 
DDR was established and mandated to carry on the work of 
improving the Organization's performance in the area of DDR. 
Fifteen departments, agencies, funds and programs are 
represented in the Working Group and together they have 
developed new policies and concepts for planning and 
implementing DDR operations in a peacekeeping context.  These 
policies and concepts are known as the integrated DDR 
standards (IDDRS). 
 
¶5.  Integrated DDR standards: The IDDRS have been developed 
by the Inter-Agency Working Group in order to better plan, 
develop, implement and monitor DDR programs.  The standards 
are divided into five levels: (1) introduction to the 
standards and a glossary; (2) strategic concepts of an 
integrated approach to DDR in a peacekeeping context; (3) 
planning and implementation structures used at Headquarters 
and in the field; (4) considerations, options and tools for 
undertaking DDR operations and; (5) UN approach to critical 
cross-cutting issues, such as gender, youth and children. 
 
¶6.  Integrated DDR standards (cont.): The development of the 
Organization's integrated approach to DDR represents an 
important first step towards greater integration. The IDDRS 
are expected to contribute towards a common UN approach; 
improved planning, communication, coordination and 
cooperation at Headquarters and in the field; a coherent and 
comprehensive basis for the UN to engage with different 
partners, including Member States; timely, effective and 
well-resourced implementation of DDR programs through both 
assessed and voluntary contributions; greater cooperation 
between military and civilian training centers and; 
development of the capacity and knowledge of field-based UN 
staff. 
 
¶7.  Disarmament: Lessons learned have shown that the failure 
to comprehensively disarm former combatants and to develop 
legislation and policy to manage and control legally and 
illegally held weapons can seriously undermine long-term 
peace, stability and recovery efforts. 
 
¶8.  Demobilization: The demobilization strategy needs to 
 
 
strike a balance between assistance and entitlement so as to 
avoid any perceptions that combatants are being rewarded for 
their role in a conflict.  In particular, cash benefits for 
children should be avoided.  In the aftermath of the DDR 
program in Liberia, the UN found that the payment of a US$300 
transitional safety-net allowance had a significantly 
negative impact on children, who were exposed to abuse and 
exploitation by their commanders, who wanted a share of the 
cash benefit. 
 
¶9.  Reintegration: Sustainable social and economic 
reintegration of former combatants should be the ultimate 
objective of DDR programs.  Failure to assist ex-combatants 
to reintegrate will undermine the achievements of the 
disarmament and demobilization phase, placing the entire 
program at risk and increasing instability.  A successful 
reintegration program will not only prevent a return to 
violence, it will also contribute to the recovery and 
development of a State that is emerging from a conflict. 
Reintegration benefits must also be tailored, based on 
gender, age, educational qualifications and physical ability 
of the recipient.  The role of women and girls in providing 
care for demobilized combatants, especially those who are 
underage, traumatized, disabled or chronically ill, must be 
recognized and supported. 
 
¶10.  Funding: One of the main problems encountered in past UN 
DDR operations is the absence of adequate, timely and 
sustained funding.  This has frequently resulted in a gap 
between disarmament and demobilization on the one hand, which 
are relatively easy to fund, plan and implement, and 
reintegration on the other, which is dependent on voluntary 
contributions and on expertise and conditions that are not 
always present in a timely manner in a post-conflict 
environment.  However, with proper planning and coordination, 
it is possible for the reintegration programs to be 
adequately resourced from the outset.  Comment: Funding for 
disarmament and demobilization is included in the assessed 
budget of peacekeeping missions while funding for 
reintegration is provided solely from voluntary 
contributions.  End comment. 
 
¶11.  Recommendations: Headquarters would ensure additional 
support to DDR programs in the field through integrated 
program support.  The Inter-Agency Working Group would 
continue to strengthen and consolidate the partnership it has 
built up over the past two years.  It would also engage with 
partners outside the UN, assist with training, resource 
mobilization and planning, and provide support to current and 
future DDR programs.  The existing secretariat should 
therefore be expanded to include additional staff from other 
departments, agencies, funds and programs and mandated to 
provide wider support to DDR.  With regard to the 
implementation of the integrated DDR standards, this would 
require the establishment of new coordination mechanisms 
which could include all or some of the following: (a) 
integrated DDR teams (such as those in Haiti and the Sudan), 
staffed jointly by personnel of UNDP and the DPKO, as well as 
other agencies; (b) a UN country team DDR steering group to 
facilitate the exchange of information, joint planning and 
operations within the peacekeeping mission and with the 
country team.  Comment: The resource implications of these 
recommendations to assessed peacekeeping budgets are unclear 
and USUN will seek further clarification when the report is 
introduced in the Fifth Committee this Spring.  End comment. 
 
 
¶12.  Recommendations (cont.): Integration, especially at the 
country level, is constrained by administrative, managerial, 
budgetary and operational challenges.  These challenges must 
be overcome if the new approach to DDR is to be achieved.  It 
is therefore recommended that efforts be made to continue to 
build an organizational culture receptive to integrated DDR 
programs and units through the continued provision of joint 
training, mission etc.  Also, the departments, agencies, 
funds and programs that have contributed to the development 
of the new approach to DDR should continue to participate in 
integrated planning, implementation and evaluation.  It is 
also recommended that the online resource center be further 
developed for it to remain a useful tool for policymakers and 
practitioners both at Headquarters and the country level. 
Apart from consolidating information and lessons learned on 
past and current programs, it should also function as a 
communication and exchange platform for those working on DDR 
issues.  This would require further voluntary funding, which 
the SYG encourages Member States to provide.  The UN would 
also support strong national ownership throughout the DDR 
process.  A key priority in the coming years would be to 
strengthen and consolidate partnerships with the World Bank, 
regional organizations and non-governmental organizations. 
Finally, the process of developing the integrated DDR 
standards in itself provides a good lesson for the UN ahead 
of the establishment of the peacebuilding commission. 
 
 
 
¶13.  The Fifth Committee is expected to consider the report 
of the SG at its second resumed session this Spring. 
 
BOLTON