Madam/Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.

Thank you for having convened today’s debate on the Annual Report of the Peacebuilding Commission and on the Secretary General`s Report on the Peacebuilding Fund.

Madam/Mr President,

The UN and the EU are natural strategic partners, working together across the world in support of peace processes to prevent conflicts and resolve crises, to build and sustain peace.

The year 2020 marked an important milestone in promoting peacebuilding and sustaining peace. With the adoption of the new resolutions on Peacebuilding and Sustaining Peace we confirmed the commitment to the fundamental principles that we all agreed on in 2016.

This has promoted the UN Peacebuilding Architecture’s adaption to the new types of challenges the world is facing. Issues such as climate change and environmental degradation are not going away any time soon and we need to ensure that the UN is in a place to mitigate the conflicts that derive from this.

Particular attention should be paid to how the Covid-19 pandemic is creating new and amplifying existing problems such as socio-economic divides, gender inequalities, increased insecurity for women and girls and other vulnerable groups, and mental health and psychosocial concerns.

Madam/Mr President,

In 2020, progress was made in the operationalisation of conflict prevention throughout the UN system. But more is needed to meet the growing challenges. Building and sustaining peace is inextricably linked to inclusive development, resilience and respect for human rights. Peaceful and inclusive societies, good governance, rule of law, an independent judiciary, an accountable security apparatus and a functioning public sector are the best guarantors for sustainable peace and development. In our view, sustaining peace also requires that human rights and fundamental freedoms are respected, protected and fulfilled.

Our endeavours include the continued promotion of the role of women and youth in peacebuilding and sustaining peace, to secure durable results. In this regard we welcome the continued focus of the Peacebuilding Commission on the implementation of its own gender strategy to enhance the integration of gender perspectives in peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

Madam/Mr President,

Turning now to the Annual Report of the PBC and the SG`s report on the Peacebuilding Fund before us today: both are comprehensive documents, illustrating the complexity of challenges in peacebuilding and financing for peacebuilding, but also the opportunities and the potential impact these activities can have in addressing situations where the PBC is engaged.

We appreciate the work of the Organizational Committee and the Peacebuilding Support Office in guiding and supporting the PBC’s work, in particular by:

1. strengthening the bridging role of the PBC among the principal organs and the relevant UN entities;
2. enhancing its collaboration with international financial institutions, regional organisations and the private sector; and
3. diversifying its working methods to enhance its efficiency and flexibility in support of peacebuilding and sustaining peace.

The Country-specific Configurations have over the past year again shown to be a valuable platform for bringing together the main actors. As a member of all Country-specific configurations of the PBC since their inception, the EU is aiming at providing the best assistance possible for their success.

The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has achieved significant results and continues to demonstrate its important catalytic role in mobilising resources for peacebuilding. The EU and its member states have been and remain staunch supporters of the UN Peacebuilding Architecture. 

Madam/Mr President,

Before concluding, I would like to extend our appreciation to the Chair of the PBC, Ambassador Edrees of Egypt, and his excellent team, whom we would like to thank for their commitment and the excellent work done.

Thank you.