Volker Türk, Secretary General for Policy poses “multiple double risks” that are piling up – from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to climate change, to threats posed by emerging technologies.
“The number of violent conflicts is at its highest level since 1945 with dire human consequences, seen at record levels of forced displacement and global humanitarian need.
“Peace-building is the responsibility of the entire UN system – as enshrined in the landmark 2015 resolutions on peace-building architecture,” he told participants.
‘Unique approach’
“Our unique approach seeks to build the foundations for peaceful societies through addressing the root causes and causes of conflict.”
The policy chief pointed to examples in the Central African Republic, where The Secretary-General’s Peace Building Fund is supporting the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation, through efforts to improve violence prevention in Bambari, with a coalition of various UN organizations and civil society.
In the vast and resilient Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, home to the United Nations peacekeeping mission, MONUSCOThe Foundation has supported the reintegration efforts of nearly 500 veterans.
Since 2018, the Secretary-General’s reports have outlined options to strengthen, restructure and further prioritize funding dedicated to UN peacebuilding activities and “a number of progress” has been achieved, he stressed.
Voluntary contributions to the Fund have increased, allowing the Fund to invest $195 million in 2021.
UN photo / Manuel Elias
Volker Türk, Secretary-General for Policy of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, speaking at the General Assembly high-level meeting on funding for peacebuilding.
Investment ‘insufficient’ so far
“But, progress is not enough,” he warned.
Allocation targets have been slashed over the past three years because of a lack of funding, and the United Nations is significantly short of the necessary “quantum jump,” up to $500 million a year.
“The fund also remains completely dependent on the voluntary contributions of a small number of donors. On the contrary, demand in the areas of prevention and peace-building continues to grow. The need for support always outstrips the resources. ”
Finance is a “critical factor” in promoting more effective peacebuilding, he added, “and the money is there.”
Figures released earlier this week showed that global military spending hit an all-time high last year, surpassing $2 trillion for the first time.
Weapons become plowshares
“Countries that can afford record investments in weapons can increase investments in conflict prevention and resolution as well as peace-building,” said Türk.
The costs of conflict are unsustainable, he added, calling for new investment, as outlined in the report presented to the summit. Today, he said, is “an opportunity to get serious about the essential work, whose goal is to build peace.”
Funding below ‘bad’: Shahid
President of the General Assembly, Abdullah Shahidnote that only a small fraction of global resources devoted to security and development are invested in peacebuilding.
“It is still understaffed and underresourced. Apparently, the goal of investing $500 million per year for the Peace Building Fund has yet to be achieved.
“This financial gap undermines peace building; financial resources are too unpredictable and insufficient for programs with long-term intentions… This is not only counterproductive to our intentions but also personally short-sighted. Investment in peacebuilding can lead to net savings of between 5 and 70 billion”, he stated.
He encouraged all Member States to promote solutions and make commitments to address the financial gap to prevent conflict and build the institutions needed for lasting peace.
“I would like to remind Member States that peace-building is above all a challenge and a national responsibility,” he said. “National ownership is essential for success and sustainability. In that regard, national capacity development should be at the heart of all international peacebuilding efforts, including the allocation of peacebuilding financing.
“Let us demonstrate greater political will to secure adequate, sustainable and predictable financing for peacebuilding and peacekeeping.”
UN photo / Manuel Elias
Bangladesh Ambassador Rabab Fatima speaks at the General Assembly high-level meeting on peacebuilding funding.
‘Important challenge’
President of the United Nations Intergovernmental Advisory Body, Peace Building CommitteeRabab Fatima, said the body elected by the General Assembly to assist conflict-affected countries, has recognized that “adequate, predictable and sustained financing remains a challenge” important consciousness”.
The President, who is also Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the UN, said that the PBC is concerned about the fact that financial flows to conflict-affected countries are “under severe strain”, especially regarding Development Assistance. official development for peacebuilding.
“The challenge is particularly acute for countries in transition,” she said. COVID-19 and public spending constraints.
“Considering the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic, particularly on conflict-affected countries, the Commission reiterates the need to ensure that recovery and sustainable development efforts are sustainability is sensitive to conflict and promotes peacebuilding, including by focusing more on preventing and reducing inequality.”
She called for more to be done to support women, peace and security, youth, peace and security, and stressed the importance of “peace building finance”. good”, should include stronger partnerships with regional and sub-regional organisations. , together with international financial institutions.
