News

I would like to thank the Deputy Secretary-General J. Elliasson and also Ambassador Antionio de Aguiar Patriota and UNDP administrator Helen Clark for their comprehensive briefings. Sustaining and consolidating peace is a central objective of the UN’s peace and security architecture. It is our collective responsibility to consolidate the gains we have achieved and prevent the post-conflict countries from sliding back into violence. Long term attention and coherent commitment from the international community, as well as the strong national ownership are critical to achieving lasting peace.

In this context my delegation recognizes the importance of the main elements, contained in the 2012 Secretary General’s report on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict, which are: inclusive political process, institution building and sustained international support accompanied by the strong national ownership.

Enhanced attention from the international community should also be devoted to minimizing the impact of external stresses, such as cross-border conflicts and their possible spill-over effects, or threats posed by the international criminal networks. Internal factors, such political exclusion, real or perceived discrimination against social groups, severe corruption, high levels of youth unemployment, unequal distribution of natural resource wealth could also be profoundly destabilizing for countries that have weak institutions and are politically and socially fragmented.

I would like to highlight in my remarks the institution building and the rule of law.

Last month, under the Lithuanian Presidency, the Security Council held an open debate and agreed on PRST on the rule of law. This exercise emphasized, once again, the importance of the rule of law as one of the key elements of conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Moreover, it unfolded around the idea that early peacebuilding starts with peacekeeping missions, and that their support to strengthening rule of law institutions shall lay foundations for long term peacebuilding objectives. In this context, the role of effective management of transitions, as well as importance of partnerships and cooperation with Member States, regional, subregional, and international partners was underlined. The Council also reiterated that national ownership, responsibility and political will are critical in building sustainable peace.

Strengthening formal and informal institutions, restoring core governance functions and equitable service delivery, strengthening domestic accountability systems in countries emerging from conflicts are the practical expression of the sustainability of peace. Institutions take a long time to develop into a solid forum for inclusive political participation, as well as delivery of security, social services, justice, education and economic opportunities. The capacities of the governments to sustain and empower these institutions remain a key challenge in the countries emerging from conflicts. Strong leadership and political will by the governments are crucial in this regard. Another important aspect of peacebuilding is the implementation of a substantial dialogue with a State in question. Such a dialogue helps both to better frame the international assistance and enhance the national ownership.

Another important element for the peacebuilding is inclusiveness. Elected governments must keep various societal and political forces engaged and include them in the decision-making process. A very important aspect of inclusivity relates to the participation of women and youth. We constantly urge to include women in the peace building process, but what does it mean in reality? Women are powerful agents of change in rebuilding communities affected by conflict. Women bring their experiences of war to the conference table. Women make up 80% of the refugees, they are often victims of sexual violence and war widows, and when they are combatants they also have different needs and experiences than male combatants. Democratic governance, SSR, land tenure, justice, and the protection of human rights are the key elements for sustainable peace where women’s interests, gender perspective should be taken into account.

It is very important to follow the UN 7-point action plan on women’s participation in peacebuilding, where UN clearly commits to ensure women’s participation and provide gender expertise not only in conflict resolution, post-conflict planning, financing but also to promote women’s representation in post-conflict governance, applying rule of law and ensuring women’s equal involvement as participants and beneficiaries during economic recovery.

Security Council Resolution 2122 is an important addition to the expanding framework for women’s contribution to peace as it includes women’s organizations to conflict prevention, resolution and peacebuilding.

In order to more effectively help countries affected by conflict, the efforts of the international community should be guided by a spirit of partnership which enhances and better coordinates the links between the UN civilian capacity, Member States, regional organizations, international financial institutions and civil society. I cannot stress enough the role of the UN Peace-building Commission (PBC) to coordinate and reinforce the UN peacebuilding architecture in this regard. Increased interaction and cooperation with the World Bank and collaboration on the ground is needed. The PBC role must not be reduced solely to that of a fundraiser. The discussion on how to deepen and focus the advisory and support role of the PBC is very timely in the context of its upcoming mandated review in 2015.

The PBC adds more value to our deliberations in the Security Council. The country-specific configuration chairs of the PBC could participate in Council meetings at which the situation concerning the country in question is considered. There could also be more coordination before and during the country visits by the Chairs of the PBC and the Council members.

We look forward to the next report of the SG on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict later this year and count on the report providing basis for our further deliberations on the lessons learnt from the UN’s response in the countries affected by or emerging from conflict.