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In a powerful reaffirmation of global commitment to collective security, over 30 nations will converge in New Delhi from October 14–16 for the United Nations Troop Contributing Countries (UNTCC) Chiefs’ Conclave, hosted by India. The three-day gathering of senior military leaders and defence officials underscores India’s enduring leadership role in United Nations peacekeeping and its push for greater equity and effectiveness in global peace operations.
Global Representation, Shared Commitment
The conclave will bring together an exceptional diversity of participants — from Algeria, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Ghana, France, Nepal, Nigeria, Vietnam, Italy, and Brazil, to Bangladesh, Kenya, Uruguay, Morocco, Bhutan, and Cambodia — representing every continent and the full spectrum of peacekeeping experience.
Many countries will be represented by their Chiefs of Defence Forces or Defence Ministers, reflecting high-level political and operational commitment.
Among them, Uruguay stands out as a Latin American pillar of peacekeeping, with Ambassador Alberto Guañi confirming that Lt Gen Mario Stevanazzi will lead the delegation to New Delhi. Despite its small population, Uruguay deploys over 900 troops across eight missions, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) and UNIFIL in Lebanon—a legacy that has seen over 55,000 Uruguayan soldiers serve in 23 international operations since 1952.
India’s Leadership in UN Peacekeeping
India remains one of the largest and most consistent troop contributors, with over 5,000 personnel currently deployed in nine UN missions. Indian peacekeepers have operated alongside contingents from Nepal, Ghana, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uruguay in some of the world’s harshest environments — from South Sudan and Congo to Lebanon — where they have built operational synergies and mutual trust over decades.
Through its Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK), India has also been driving forward-looking initiatives, including the Conference on Women Peacekeepers from the Global South (February 2025), advancing gender inclusion and leadership in peace operations.
Strategic Agenda: Reform, Technology, and Representation
The UNTCC Chiefs’ Conclave 2025 is expected to serve as a strategic forum for reimagining the future of UN peacekeeping, focusing on:
- Enhancing interoperability among multinational forces;
- Integrating indigenous technologies for cost-effective mission support;
- Ensuring greater representation and voice for troop-contributing nations in UN decision-making; and
- Sharing best practices for protecting civilians and peacekeepers alike.
Expected Outcomes
- Deepening bilateral and multilateral defence partnerships;
- Building consensus on peacekeeping reform priorities;
- Expanding frameworks for capacity-building and training collaborations.
Towards a Safer, Unified Global Peacekeeping Framework
Beyond being a diplomatic milestone, the UNTCC Chiefs’ Conclave 2025 represents a collective pledge by leading troop-contributing nations to strengthen the moral and operational foundations of international peacekeeping. For countries like India, Brazil, France, Ghana, Tanzania, and Uruguay, the conclave offers not only a platform to showcase shared commitment but also an opportunity to shape a more inclusive, technology-enabled, and resilient global peace architecture.
Huma Siddiqui
