The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has unveiled a concerning trend in global peacekeeping efforts, reporting a more than 40% decline in personnel deployments to multilateral peace operations between 2015 and 2024. This significant reduction comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and funding cuts are increasingly undermining the effectiveness of these critical missions. The findings, released ahead of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, underscore the growing challenges faced by both the United Nations and regional organizations in sustaining peace operations worldwide.

In 2024, a total of 61 multilateral peace operations were active across 36 countries or territories, marking a slight decrease from the previous year. Sub-Saharan Africa remained the region with the highest number of missions, hosting 21 operations, followed by Europe with 19, and the Middle East and North Africa with 14. Despite the relatively stable number of missions, the number of international personnel deployed has plummeted, with only 94,451 personnel serving at the end of 2024, compared to 161,509 in 2015.

Dr. Claudia Pfeifer Cruz, a Senior Researcher at SIPRI, highlighted the increasing difficulties in agreeing on, deploying, and sustaining multilateral peace operations. 'This has real consequences for civilians on the ground,' she noted, pointing to the tangible impact of these challenges on conflict-affected populations. The report also sheds light on the financial difficulties plaguing peace operations, including a liquidity crisis in the UN peacekeeping budget, which has disrupted mission functionalities and raised questions about their future viability.

Looking ahead, the report anticipates continued obstacles for multilateral peace operations, driven by geopolitical divisions, funding shortages, and a shift towards militarized approaches to conflict management by host governments. These trends not only threaten the capacity of peace operations to address immediate security concerns but also risk sidelining broader objectives such as human rights and the rule of law. As the international community grapples with these challenges, the findings serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for renewed commitment and innovative solutions to sustain global peacekeeping efforts in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.

Kalmar, a leading provider of cargo-handling solutions, has successfully completed a significant refurbishment project in collaboration with Africa Global Logistics (AGL) at the Port of Abidjan in Ivory Coast. The project focused on the overhaul of two ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, a critical component of the terminal's operations. This initiative is part of Kalmar's Modernisation Services program, aimed at extending the lifespan and enhancing the performance of port equipment.

The scope of the project included the replacement of key components such as the forestay and pivot point bearings, trolley rails, short rails, and trolley and guide wheels. These upgrades are expected to significantly improve the cranes' efficiency and reliability, ensuring smoother operations at one of West Africa's busiest ports. The project, which was booked in Kalmar's Q4 2024 order intake, was completed in Q1 2025, demonstrating the company's ability to deliver complex projects on schedule.

In addition to the physical refurbishment, Kalmar also provided a comprehensive maintenance training program for the port technicians in Abidjan. This initiative is designed to empower the local team with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain the cranes in optimal condition, thereby maximizing their operational lifespan. Peter Bos, Project Manager at Kalmar, highlighted the importance of this training, noting its role in sustaining the long-term performance of the equipment.

This project marks another milestone in the ongoing partnership between Kalmar and AGL, which spans several years and includes similar refurbishment projects in other African countries such as Congo and Benin. AGL, a subsidiary of MSC, is a major player in Africa's port logistics sector, operating 17 container terminals across the continent. The successful completion of the Abidjan project underscores the mutual trust and collaboration between the two companies, setting a positive precedent for future endeavors.