AMBASSADORIAL-LEVEL MEETING OF THE UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION CONFIGURATION ON GUINEA-BISSAU
STATEMENT BY NADIA KRIVETZ, POLITICAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS COUNSELLOR, PERMANENT MISSION OF AUSTRALIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
22 January 2025
Thank you Chair,
We thank all briefers for their valuable contributions and, extend particular thanks to Guinea-Bissau’s Foreign Minister for your presentation.
As a new member of the Peacebuilding Commission, Australia looks forward to engaging with Guinea-Bissau, and we recognise the good work already undertaken on this file.
Australia welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with Guinea-Bissau’s leaders during our non-resident Ambassador’s visit earlier this month.
Chair, I wish to make the three points today:
First, we note Guinea-Bissau will go to the polls in 2025.
The importance of political stability cannot be understated.
The legitimacy of democratic and electoral institutions is key to promoting political stability.
The active participation of civil society is critical to achieving a credible outcome, and we commend Guinea-Bissau’s focus on this issue.
We encourage Guinea-Bissau to consider submitting a request for financial and logistical support to international partners as soon as a date for the elections is set.
Secondly, political stability will foster economic growth.
We note Guinea-Bissau’s commitment to strengthening its integrated national financing frameworks for Sustainable Development Goal financing.
We urge closer collaboration between the UN and International Financial Institutions to assist Member States in addressing poverty, enhancing social inclusion and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
Our efforts will be more successful when peacebuilding, humanitarian and development work are cohesive, under the leadership of national governments, and with strong input from local communities.
Thirdly, in line with the principle of national ownership, we welcome Guinea-Bissau outlining its immediate and long-term national peacebuilding priorities today.
As a member of the Peacebuilding Commission, we stand ready to assist Guinea-Bissau in meeting these priorities, including through the development of its new strategic framework for peacebuilding.
We welcome Guinea-Bissau’s focus on enhancing women’s economic empowerment and encourage efforts in this regard. Gender equality is the strongest indicator for peaceful societies.
Finally, we welcome the ongoing support of the Peacebuilding Fund in Guinea-Bissau, particularly in its efforts to fight against drugs and transnational crime, prevent conflict and create political stability.
This important work is why Australia has tripled our annual voluntary contribution to the Fund to AUD15 million per year.
We look forward to working with Guinea-Bissau in support of its peacebuilding priorities.
Thank you.