The 2026 session of the United Nations Contingent‑Owned Equipment (COE) Working Group concluded on 30 January after two weeks of intensive deliberations, bringing forth a series of forward‑looking recommendations aimed at strengthening the safety, wellbeing, and operational effectiveness of uniformed personnel deployed to peacekeeping operations.
Held every three years pursuant to General Assembly resolution 54/19 B, the Working Group conducts a comprehensive review of the COE framework. This framework is one of the key mechanisms that ensures peacekeepers have the equipment and support necessary to operate safely in challenging environments.
This year’s session saw exceptional engagement from Member States. More than 280 delegates from about 80 countries participated in discussions, reviewing 120 issue papers (70 submitted by Member States and 50 by the Secretariat). This is the highest number produced to date. The Working Group ultimately reached consensus on 63 proposals, reflecting a shared commitment across the UN membership to continuously improve the conditions under which peacekeepers serve.
Ensuring Safety and Wellbeing as a Central Priority
At the heart of the Working Group’s recommendations is a renewed commitment to the safety and wellbeing of troops and police personnel. Many of the adopted measures seek to modernize operational capabilities to ensure peacekeepers are better protected and supported in the field.
Key proposals include the introduction of counter‑unmanned aircraft systems, enhancements to medical capacities through a new modular hospital concept, and the expanded use of remote infrastructure monitoring technology. These advancements are designed to ensure that missions can rapidly adapt to emerging threats, improve medical response, and maintain critical infrastructure more safely and reliably.
By updating standards and reimbursement modalities to reflect real operational conditions, the Working Group aims to strengthen missions’ ability to deliver on their mandates while safeguarding the personnel who carry them out.
Efficiency Measures to Support Effective Mandate Delivery
While the safety and wellbeing of peacekeepers were central to the discussions, the Working Group also adopted a range of efficiency measures that will generate meaningful cost savings and enhance financial stewardship across peacekeeping operations.
Among the most significant is a historic revision to the COE reimbursement framework, marking the first substantive methodological change in more than three decades. This update shifts reimbursement from a model based solely on the availability of equipment to one based on actual operational usage. The new approach is expected to better align resources with real mission needs and encourage more efficient deployment of assets.
Additional efficiency measures include:
- Revised reimbursement rates for non‑operational specialized units
- Amendments to disposal policy encouraging in‑mission disposal of unserviceable equipment
- Establishment of maximum limits for sea containers transported at UN cost
- New policies for ammunition management
Collectively, these changes are forecast to deliver substantial annual savings while enabling missions to operate more effectively.
Consensus‑Driven, Evidence‑Based Outcomes
Reaching agreement on complex technical issues within a short timeframe required sustained engagement from Member States and careful facilitation throughout the process. The transparent, data‑driven discussions helped delegates assess the operational and financial implications of each proposal, ensuring decisions were grounded in practical experience and measurable impact.
The successful conclusion of the Working Group underscores the value of collaborative dialogue and the shared commitment of the international community to deliver peacekeeping that is safer, more responsive, and more efficient.
Next Steps
In the coming days, the Secretary‑General’s report and the formal report of the 2026 COE Working Group will be prepared for submission to the General Assembly. Once finalized, the reports will be signed by the Secretary‑General and transmitted to Member States for their consideration.
Following this review, implementation of all accepted proposals will begin after they have been examined by the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and subsequently approved through the established budgetary process.