Launched at the Leaders’ Summit on Peacekeeping in 2015, the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS) is a Strategic Force Generation tool to manage commitments by Member States of military, police and enabling capabilities to UN peacekeeping operations.
Strategic Force Generation
The Strategic Force Generation and Capability Planning Cell (SFGC) developed and manages the Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. A joint unit of the Office of Military Affairs and the Division for Policy, Evaluation, and Training, the SFGC maintains peacekeeping readiness, helps UN Peacekeeping meet current and emerging uniformed capability needs, and works to improve the performance and accountability of peacekeeping. In addition to the PCRS, the SFGC coordinates the Peacekeeping Ministerial process, supports uniformed performance evaluation, data visualization and analysis, and manages the Integrated Peacekeeping Performance and Accountability Framework (IPPAF).
PCRS Objective
The PCRS enables the more rapid deployment of uniformed peacekeeping capabilities, including women peacekeepers, that meet UN standards of training and performance. It facilitates both Member State and UNHQ planning for future peacekeeping deployments.
The United Nations Uniformed Capability Requirements Paper (UCRP) projects to Member States current and emerging UN peacekeeping needs with regard to military, police, training, and related capabilities. Issued quarterly, it guides troop- and police-contributing countries on which units, personnel, equipment, training, or capacity-building support to prepare and pledge.
Results
- Since 2019, 100% of all deployments to UN Peacekeeping originated from PCRS, placing it at the core of the UN’s force generation and selection process.
- 13 units were deployed from the Rapid Deployment Level to MINUSCA, MONUSCO, UNISFA and other now-closed Missions.
- Between 200 and 300 pledges are registered in the PCRS at any given time, including military and police units, individual officers, and offers for training and capacity-building.
- 14 military and police units, almost 3,000 personnel, are currently at the Rapid Deployment level, verified as ready for deployment within 60 days of a request from the Secretariat.
Methodology
Pledges made to the PCRS are grouped in four categories depending on the unit’s level of readiness as determined through an Assessment and Advisory Visit (AAV).
- Level 1: Pledged capability has been registered with all required information in the PCRS system.
- Level 2: Assessment and Advisory Visit (AAV) has been conducted and readiness standards met. Estimated readiness within 180 days.
- Level 3: Equipment & personnel lists in alignment with UN military or police and support requirements. Estimated readiness within 120 days.
- Rapid Deployment Level (RDL): Pledged for deployment to any UN field mission within 60 days of a formal invitation from the Secretariat. Verification Visit (VV) conducted to ensure immediate availability of equipment and personnel.