UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: PEACEBUILDING AND SUSTAINING PEACE (REPORT OF THE PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION AND SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE PEACEBUILDING FUND)
24 July 2023
Statement by H.E. Mr Anthony Simpson, Acting Deputy Permanent Representative, New Zealand Mission to the United Nations
Article 1 of the UN Charter states that the purpose of the UN is ‘to maintain international peace and security, and to that end take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace…’
Prevention and peacebuilding are why this organisation exists. And yet, with a record high number of active conflicts, including Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, and instability around the world, we are reminded of our need to recommit to Article 1 of the UN Charter. We must take the opportunity of the release of the New Agenda for Peace – and the upcoming 2025 review of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture - to strengthen prevention, the role of the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) and UN Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).
The PBC has not been harnessed to its full potential within the UN system. It has a pivotal role to deepen discussions on challenges which other organs struggle to contend with – including cross-pillar issues such as peace, development, and human rights as well as climate, peace and security, and the inclusion of women, youth, and indigenous persons.
The peacebuilding lessons brought to the PBC are universal in nature, with both developed and developing countries having experiences to share for common benefit. Canada was proud to join Norway and Colombia in June to describe the difficult journey it is still undertaking to address historical injustices against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit and embrace reconciliation.
We urge enhanced consultation with the PBC by the Security Council, General Assembly and ECOSOC. The peacebuilding progress of Colombia is an example of what can be achieved from engaging with both the UNSC and PBC. The PBC – UNSC relationship must be strengthened as a matter of priority, so the UN can holistically support countries on the Council’s agenda to build sustainable peace.
CANZ also supports strengthened PBC coordination with international financial institutions, regional development banks and regional organisations, and civil society.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Sustained, inclusive and targeted peacebuilding saves lives and money in the long-term. Yet global spending on peacebuilding represents only a fraction of military spending, and for every $1 invested in conflict prevention, $16 could be saved in crisis response. This would reduce the ever-increasing need for humanitarian assistance and costly peacekeeping interventions.
The Peacebuilding Fund provides critical support for peacebuilding activities which prevent and respond to conflict situations and fragile settings. From election monitoring in Latin America and mapping climate security threats in the Pacific, to supporting peacekeeping transitions in Africa. More than 67 countries from every region of the world have benefited from the investments of the PBF. However, demand continues to outstrip funding. The PBF’s cash balance is approaching zero in 2023. It urgently needs to be more adequately replenished to serve Member States from all regions.
CANZ firmly believes that the UN’s peacebuilding work must be adequately, predictably and sustainably financed. CANZ countries are major voluntary donors to the PBF. CANZ has heard the Secretary-General’s call for a ‘quantum leap’ in peacebuilding funding and have collectively provided USD$90 million for the PBF’s 2020-2024 Strategy.
CANZ urges all UN Member States to consider making and increasing voluntary contributions to the PBF - especially through multi-year agreements to increase predictability. We are encouraged to see a growing list of PBF donors, including previous recipients of PBF projects. We welcome new donors to support the PBF in building sustainable peace this year.
CANZ also champions assessed contributions for the PBF, which would supplement voluntary contributions and provide a baseline of predictable financing for peacebuilding, including in transition settings.
In 2022, the General Assembly made clear that assessed contributions could be used to finance the PBF. The Secretary-General’s recommendation was to provide $100 million in assessed funding to the PBF annually. It is now time for the Fifth Committee to conclude its consideration and commit to the cross-regional proposal supported by the vast majority of countries.
Now, more than ever, national governments are turning to the PBF and the PBC for support. Prevention and peacebuilding are our common goal. Let’s work together to invest in sustainable peace and prevent the scourge of war.