UNITED NATIONS STAND-BY ARRANGEMENTS SYSTEM (UNSAS)

 Background  Concept  Purpose  Resources  Reports  Levels  MOU Template  Summary  Discussions Scope

To provide a brief overview of the United Nations Standby Arrangement System (UNSAS). Aim

 In 1992, in the “Agenda for Peace”, the Secretary-General stated a requirement for troops to be available to the UN at short notice, capable of intervening quickly and efficiently where and when necessary.  In 1993, following the Brahimi Report, the General Assembly ordered the establishment of United Nations Standby Arrangement System (UNSAS).  In 2000 the database for UNSAS was made functional. This data base was on a stand-alone computer.  The UNSAS Data base is now being upgraded (since Sep 2010) into a web based system allowing the TCC to interactively upload their pledges/contributions. Background

 The United Nations Stand-by Arrangements (UNSAS) is based on conditional pledges by Member States (MS) to contribute specific resources within agreed response time and restrictions in UN PKO.  However, the final decision to actually deploy the resources or not still remains a national decision. Concept

 Provides a precise understanding of the forces and capabilities a MS will have available, at a given state of readiness, for deployment from the home country, should it agree to contribute to a Peace Keeping Operations.  Facilitates DPKO’s efforts in mission planning and the actual force generation process and also contributes to the rapid deployment of resources.  Allows the MS to plan, budget, train and prepare its personnel for a possible contribution to a UN PKO and, if necessary, to arrange for the acquisition of the necessary equipment required for UN PKOs.  It provides the UN with a list of potential options/alternatives which enables the UN planners to develop contingency and fall-back strategies in case of anticipated delays Purpose

 UNSAS consists of arrangements negotiated between the UN and individual MS. The resources agreed upon remain on “stand-by” in the Home Country.  Pledges can be general or for specific appointments as preferred by the MS. The pledged resources are of three main categories: Operational units (AD, Armd, Arty, HQ, Inf, Marines, Naval Recce Units and Special Forces). Operational units (AD, Armd, Arty, HQ, Inf, Marines, Naval Recce Units and Special Forces). Support units (Air Svc, Comms, Engrs, Catering Svcs, Health Svcs, Logistics, Maint Movt Control, Navy Aux, Police, Supply and Transportation units). Support units (Air Svc, Comms, Engrs, Catering Svcs, Health Svcs, Logistics, Maint Movt Control, Navy Aux, Police, Supply and Transportation units). Individuals (Milobs, Milads, Arms Monitor, LO). Individuals (Milobs, Milads, Arms Monitor, LO).  MS retain responsibility of stand-by resources and the UN does not pay till they are deployed. Resources

 Information pledges to UNSAS is used by military planners to propose the most appropriate capability to meet the operational requirement of the UN and to plan deployment. To do this effectively, information must be up to date.  A system of quarterly updates (Jan, April, Jul and Oct) by MS is used to ensure that the information held in the UNSAS database is up to date. MS are normally alerted to submit their (fax/mail) updates early enough.  Pledges which are not possible due to national commitments, caveats or any other reason are not required to be included in the quarterly updates.  If MS does not update pledges, they are considered to be the same as they were in the last updated quarter.  UNSAS DATA IS AS RELIABLE AS PLEDGES/UPDATES PROVIDED MS. Reports

 The key element in the system of the standby arrangements is the bilateral exchange of detailed information to facilitate planning and preparation for both participating Member State and United Nations.  The UNSAS scale corresponds to information provided about pledges in regards to capabilities, organisation, movement data, self-sufficiency and major equipment.  There are three conventional levels (1, 2 and 3) of commitment by MS to UNSAS and a Level of Rapid Deployment. UNSAS Levels of Commitment

 Level 1: Provides a list of capabilities (size, strength, and response time) of the pledges made available to the UN.  Level 2: Provides detailed inventory lists of the pledges including the organization of the units, a list of major equipment, level of self-sufficiency, and data on individuals.  Level 3: Provides for a signed MOU giving details of capabilities & resources pledged. UNSAS Levels of Commitment

 Resources pledged by MS in this level can be deployed to a UN Mission within 30/90 days of a SC Mandate, following the appropriate government approval.  The Level enables both the Secretariat and the MS to save time through detailed pre-deployment planning and preparation of a draft MOU. NB: RDL units are those units for which a “draft MOU” has been negotiated and “cargo load lists” have been submitted by the TCC. Rapid Deployment Level

I. PURPOSE THE PURPOSE OF THE MOU IS TO IDENTIFY THE RESOURCES WHICH THE MEMBER STATE HAS INDICATED THAT IT WILL PROVIDE TO THE UN FOR USE IN PKO UNDER THE SPECIFIED CONDITIONS. II. DESCRIPTION OF RESOURCES THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE RESOURCES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE MEMBER STATE IS SET OUT IN THE ANNEX TO THE MOU. IN THE PREPARATION OF THE ANNEX, THE MEMBER STATE AND THE UN, HAVE FOLLOWED THE GUIDELINES FOR THE PROVISION OF RESOURCES FOR UN PKO. III. CONDITION OF PROVISION THE FINAL DECISION WHETHER TO ACTUALLY DEPLOY THE RESOURCES BY THE MEMBER STATE REMAINS A NATIONAL DECISION. IV. ENTRY INTO FORCE THE PRESENT MOU SHALL ENTER INTO FORCE ON THE DATE OF ITS SIGNATURE. V. MODIFICATION THE PRESENT MOU INCLUDING THE ANNEX, MAY BE MODIFIED AT ANY TIME BY THE PARTIES THROUGH EXCHANGE OF LETTERS. VI. TERMINATION THE MOU MAY BE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME BY EITHER PARTY, SUBJECT TO A PERIOD OF NOTIFICATION OF NOT LESS THAN 3 MONTHS TO THE OTHER PARTY. UNSAS MOU TEMPLATE

 Conventional Levels: 89 Level 1: 24 Level 1: 24 Level 2: 8 Level 2: 8 Level 3: 57 Level 3: 57  RDL: 4 Summary of UNSAS MS

STEPS IN SIGNING UNSAS MS  Step 1: UN Secretariat discusses with MS UNSAS system.  Step 2: UN Secretariat provides the MS with UNSAS MOU and other documents.  Step 3: MS coordinates with the capital in regards to the contents of the MOU.  Step 4: MS informs Secretariat of the decision and a date is set for the signing of the MOU. USG-DPKO and Minister usually signs the MOU. COORDINATION IS KEY AT THIS STAGE. 

DISCUSSION