AMBASSADORIAL-LEVEL MEETING OF THE UN PEACEBUILDING COMMISSION ON SOUTH-SOUTH AND TRIANGULAR COOPERATION FOR BUILDING AND SUSTAINING PEACE
Statement delivered by H.E. Beth Delaney, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
29 July 2025
Thank you, Chair,
We thank the Ministers from Colombia and Sierra Leone who spoke today for their leadership.
Countries affected by conflict, especially those who have since negotiated peace, are exceptionally well placed to help those facing similar challenges.
Chair, I make three points:
First, Australia recognises the significant contribution that South-South Cooperation makes to peacebuilding.
It is an important mechanism which promotes horizontal partnerships and strengthens multilateralism while recognising and valuing the experiences of local communities.
We commend the Colombian Government’s South-South Cooperation Programme for Peacebuilding.
We particularly welcome Colombia’s inclusive approach, which places women, youth, and ethnic communities at the heart of peacebuilding efforts.
This is not just good practice—it is essential for lasting peace.
Second, we echo the Secretary-General’s call to strengthen cooperation between countries facing similar peacebuilding challenges.
As we have heard today, particularly from our speaker from South Sudan, the exchange of knowledge, technical and political expertise is key to developing and implementing effective national prevention and peacebuilding strategies.
The Peacebuilding Commission is a proven platform to facilitate such exchange.
To support the Secretary-General’s call, Australia is working with the Centre on International Cooperation to develop voluntary, evidence-based policy guidance to support the development of effective National Prevention Strategies.
This will support States’ to develop context specific strategies grounded in evidence.
We welcome all members of the Commission which have engaged so far and encourage others to do so.
We want this to be a shared resource, developed from our shared experience, in keeping with the PBC’s purpose – to exchange good practice and support lasting peace.
Third, there are many examples from our region, but I will highlight two relevant examples.
In support of the Philippine Government's priorities, Australia helps deliver access to justice for socially disadvantaged groups and to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The cooperation supports long-term stability in conflict-affected areas and supports the Philippines peacebuilding efforts, from advancing pathways for peace to context specific dispute mediation.
We also see the value of regional cooperation in building capacity and strengthening peace outcomes, and work closely with the UN Secretariat, Troop Contributing Countries and Member States to deliver training in support of peacebuilding objectives.
In closing, Australia remains committed to working with all partners to build peaceful, resilient, and inclusive societies.
We must continue to learn from one another to better respond to, and prevent conflict, and support locally led solutions.
Thank you.