EU Statement – UN Peacebuilding Commission: 20th Session of the Organizational Committee

Excellencies,

I would like to thank Germany and Ambassador Ricklef Beutin for their excellent leadership of the PBC over the past year and for their determined efforts to advance the work of the Peacebuilding Commission. 

Chair,

Allow me to equally congratulate you on taking over the chairmanship of the Peacebuilding Commission and assure you of our full support to you and to Morocco. I also wish to thank the chairs of the country-specific configurations and the vice-chairs and look forward to actively supporting you in these roles.

With the 2025 peacebuilding architecture review successfully concluded, one of our priorities for 2026 must be the implementation of the review outcome. I stress that the driving force behind last years’ review was to ensure genuine impact. Most significantly, impact where it counts most, namely on the ground, with – at its core – efficient, coherent and inclusive UN systemwide efforts building on the three interconnected and mutually supportive pillars of the UN.  

Chair,

More countries are coming forward to share their national conflict prevention and peacebuilding experiences. Just last week, we learned from Mauritania how it is pursuing its nationally determined path towards peacebuilding and social cohesion in a fragile region. 

Among the key advances of the architecture review was the recognition of the role that the Peacebuilding Commission can play as a vital platform to support voluntary, nationally owned prevention and peacebuilding strategies. This was a priority for the European Union, and we are keen to support steps to implement it further. 

Chair,

Investing in peacebuilding and conflict prevention is cost-efficient. Unfortunately, conflicts around the world are on the rise, at the same time that funding is declining. The political commitment of the EU and its Member States has been commensurate with our funding support, as the biggest donors to the Peacebuilding Fund over the years.  To succeed, peacebuilding needs peace funding. Going forward, we hope that ever more countries will invest in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. 

Thank you.