Ban, speaking to the U.N. Security Council Monday, said the security sector reform support currently offered by the United Nations to countries rebuilding after conflicts lacks a common framework. Ban said despite some successes in helping reform armed forces, police and other elements of the security sector in places like Colombia and Sierra Leone, the United Nations has had only limited impact.

"Despite our hands-on record, we have only limited institutional structures to guide engagement on the ground," Ban said in a statement.

"We need to strengthen our ability to provide consistent, well-coordinated and high-quality technical advice, during peace processes and in peacekeeping, peace-building and development. We need to make our approach less piecemeal and more holistic."

Ban said member countries should remain the primary providers of security sector reform and that national ownership should be the cornerstone of a U.N. approach.