Let me begin by recognizing the Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission for her tireless efforts in leading the Commission. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General for the priority he has placed on UN peacebuilding work, including in the Our Common Agenda initiative.
The United States believes that financing for peacebuilding must be placed in a broader context, so let me to offer several points on this issue:
First, conflict prevention, preventive diplomacy, and peacebuilding work are critical to responding to shared security and development challenges around the world. Investments in the peacebuilding architecture have yielded a transformational impact in supporting societies emerging from conflict, as well as those seeking to prevent a relapse.
Second, in order to retain Member State support, we encourage the UN system to continue to demonstrate that peacebuilding work pays dividends on the ground. Highlighting specific results and framing evidence in terms of outcomes through enhanced monitoring, critical evaluation, and stakeholder engagement remains essential.
Third, the Peacebuilding Commission plays a critical role across the peace continuum, including through political dialogue, peaceful resolution of conflict, economic growth, and the re-establishment of essential administrative services. As outlined in the Our Common Agenda report, an expanded Peacebuilding Commission role can enable the UN system to address cross-cutting issues of security, climate change, health, development, gender equality, and human rights with greater effectiveness and accountability.
Fourth, Member States bear an important responsibility for the effective oversight of UN peacebuilding efforts. Member States can achieve this by ensuring coherence of mandates and programs, exploring innovative financing, and supporting the meaningful participation of women in peacebuilding. The United States is open in principle to exploring creative financing options for peacebuilding initiatives, including the possible use of assessed funding, provided that such funding is used for core operating costs of the UN.
Fifth, UN peacebuilding work supports the broader UN reform agenda, including the enhanced alignment of humanitarian, peace, and development efforts and actors. We are pleased to see Resident Coordinators playing an important role in integrating the full spectrum of conflict prevention tools in the field. We encourage further reforms that improve the effectiveness of conflict prevention.
Sixth, we appreciate coordination between the UN and international financial institutions, such as the UN-World Bank Humanitarian-Development-Peacebuilding and Partnership and the forthcoming IMF Strategy for Fragile and Conflict-Affected States.
Finally, Member States’ peacebuilding efforts can and should complement UN peacebuilding efforts. On April 1, President Biden launched the implementation phase of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability. Over the next 10 years, the United States will work closely with partner countries across the globe to promote inclusive and sustainable peace. Recognizing the variety of shocks and pressures the world faces today, this new strategy will harness and integrate the full range of U.S. tools to prevent violent conflict before it erupts and target underlying political, economic, and social factors that drive fragility.
As President Biden has said: “Prevention is hard work – measured not in days and weeks, but in years and generations. Its successes are never as evident as its failures, and it requires us to remain focused on lasting peace and stability over the allure of easier, more temporary gains that may not strengthen our position in the long term.” The United States is committed to supporting the UN’s efforts to create this lasting peace and stability.
Thank you.
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