UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed agreement on a ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone following talks held in Russia on Friday.
An agreement between Iraq’s Federal and the Kurdish Regional governments on Friday paves the way for reconstruction in the north of the country, in what the UN has called “a first and important step in the right direction”.
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Secretary-General, it is my pleasure to introduce his eighth report on “Overall policy matters pertaining to special political missions”. I am also pleased to be joined today by my colleague Atul Khare, Under-Secretary-General for Operational Support, whose department plays a critical role in supporting special political missions.
From the outset, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Finland and Mexico for their leadership as facilitators of this agenda item, as well as for their steadfast support of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and our special political missions.
I also want to express my gratitude to all Member States for their engagement on this agenda item.
Mr. Chairman,
This year’s report comes against the background of one of the most serious crises in the history of the United Nations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare global fragilities. It has upended lives, overwhelming the health system, and livelihoods, unleashing a devastating socio-economic crisis that worsens poverty and marginalization.
As the Secretary-General has stressed, the pandemic also has profound implications for international peace and security. Trust in public institutions has deteriorated where responses to COVID-19 are perceived as failing. Existing inequalities and vulnerabilities have been exacerbated. New human rights challenges have emerged. And fragile peace processes risk being derailed by the crisis.
This combination of risks is dangerous and has increased the potential for instability and violence. It threatens to reverse the hard-earned gains for peace that we have achieved over the last few years, and it underscores the magnitude of the challenge of conflict prevention before us.
The seriousness of the pandemic and its consequences require an urgent and collective response. Special political missions are playing their part in this effort. While ensuring the continuity of critical operations and core mandates, they are supporting host countries in their response to the virus, protecting our personnel and assisting vulnerable communities.
COVID-19 has, of course, impacted the work of SPMs. Their operational capacities have been limited due to measures taken to limit the spread of the virus. Travel restrictions have, in some contexts, made it considerably more difficult for missions to support dialogue and carry out preventive diplomacy and peacemaking.
But SPMs are working to mitigate these challenges. They are increasingly relying on new approaches, including greater use of technology. Digital tools have enabled them to engage with a wide range of stakeholders, from government counterparts to civil society groups, including women’s organizations. An example is the large-scale online discussion organized by the Special Envoy for Yemen in June, which gathered over 500 Yemenis – a third of whom were women – to discuss opportunities and challenges for peace in the country.
At the same time, current restrictions also underline the value of direct engagement on the most sensitive issues. In recent months, while taking the necessary health precautions, SPMs were able to initiate critical in-person activities. In September, talks held in Geneva were instrumental for an agreement between the Yemeni parties on the exchange and release of over 1,000 prisoners. The Special Envoy for Syria facilitated the Third Meeting of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva in late August. And in Sudan, the UN deployed an advance team to Khartoum to continue the preparations for the deployment of our newest mission: the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan.
The pandemic has forced many countries to consider if and how to proceed with planned elections. In some cases, lack of consensus among political parties regarding a way forward has increased tensions, especially in situations where the legitimacy of the process was already contested. We have advised the need for consensus on such matters, and SPMs with an electoral assistance mandate provide advice on mitigation measures to enable electoral activities to continue.
Mr. Chairman,
Recognizing the urgency of the crisis, on 23 March, the Secretary-General called for a global ceasefire.
He urged conflict parties to stop the fighting in order to create conditions for the delivery of aid and to open up space for diplomacy.
The Secretary-General’s call has been widely endorsed by Member States from across the world, as well as by the Security Council. Regional partners, civil society and religious leaders have added their voices to the call.
SPMs are playing a key role in operationalizing the Secretary-General’s appeal.
In Yemen, the Special Envoy is in dialogue with the parties to build trust and move towards a ceasefire and a resumption of the political process. In Afghanistan, the Special Representative is engaging in support of the launch of Afghanistan Peace Negotiations. And in Libya, the Acting Special Representative continues to engage with all national, regional and international stakeholders to advance the UN-facilitated intra-Libyan political, security and economic dialogue in the framework of the Berlin process.
Mr. Chairman,
I would like to highlight a few of the thematic issues discussed in the Secretary-General’s report.
First, the work of SPMs in the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform of Action, and the 20th anniversary of Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), the landmark resolution which recognized the importance of women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in conflict prevention and resolution.
Special political missions have made their women, peace and security commitments a priority.
In Syria, the Special Envoy of the Secretary General facilitated agreements between the parties securing close to 30 per cent membership of women in the Constitutional Committee.
In Colombia, the Verification Mission has engaged actively in the implementation of the Comprehensive Programme of Safeguards for Women Leaders and has promoted activities with women former combatants and candidates of the FARC party.
Much remains to be done to translate grassroots women’s leadership, which we see in abundance, into high-level positions of political power and influence.
The women, peace and security agenda has become even more critical against the background of COVID-19, which exacerbated gender inequalities and increased gender-based and domestic violence. SPMs are supporting Member States in creating new pathways for the meaningful participation of women, including in the responses to the pandemic.
Second, peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
Through their integrated work with UN Country Teams and Resident Coordinators, SPMs are playing a key role to support the implementation of nationally-owned peacebuilding priorities and the 2030 Agenda.
The Peacebuilding Fund has been instrumental in supporting these efforts. In 2019, the PBF directed 12 per cent of its investment to countries where SPMs are located. In Haiti, the Fund is now supporting key priorities agreed with the government, including community violence reduction, access to justice, and electoral violence prevention. In Burundi, the PBF is supporting local conflict prevention and resolution efforts and enhancing youth and women’s participation in decision-making.
I am grateful for the engagement of the Peacebuilding Commission on the work of SPMs, particularly in bringing its perspectives and views as part of its advisory role to the Security Council. The Commission’s engagement on the mandate reviews of our missions in Burundi, Guinea Bissau, and West Africa and the Sahel has been particularly appreciated.
Third, the youth, peace and security agenda.
In line with the important framework established by the General Assembly and the Security Council, SPMs are working to increase the inclusive representation of youth for the prevention and resolution of conflict, as well as in peacebuilding.
In Somalia, for example, we have continued to engage young women and men to promote their active political participation in the constitutional review, national reconciliation and elections. In Iraq, UNAMI has organized a series of workshops bringing together young people from 14 Governorates to discuss issues such as conflict prevention and inclusion.
Mr. Chairman,
The Secretary-General’s report has highlighted the critical contributions that SPMs make to advancing peace.
Working closely with a wide range of partners – including regional and subregional organizations – SPMs have helped Member States promote political solutions and address emerging challenges.
Their effectiveness, however, depends on the support from Member States. And we are very grateful for the support we receive from all of you. SPMs are a manifestation of the power of effective multilateralism – of our ability to come together to provide support to complex and fragile political processes and to help build sustainable peace.
In closing, I would like to pay a special tribute to the United Nations personnel serving in special political missions, working under challenging conditions – particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic – to advance the promise of the Charter.
Thank you.
New York, 10 October 2020
Around the world, nearly 1 billion people live with a mental disorder. Every 40 seconds, someone dies from suicide. And depression is now recognized as a leading cause of illness and disability among children and adolescents.
All of this was true, even before COVID-19. We are now seeing the consequences of the pandemic on people’s mental well-being, and...
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security CouncilLa Lime: Key aspects of the elector process in Haiti must be addressed Great LakesSpecial Envoy visits several countries to discuss matters of peace, security and development
LibyaHigh-level event on Libya
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YemenPatients return home to Yemen after medical treatment in Jordan New CaledoniaSelf-determination referendum
ColombiaIn Chocó, reintegration strengthens community processes
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ROME – The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme (WFP) is a humbling, moving...
ROME – The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme (WFP) is a humbling, moving recognition of the work of WFP staff who lay their lives...
Amid escalating hostilities in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights appealed on Friday for an urgent ceasefire and for greater protection to be given to those caught up in the violence.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which provides lifesaving food assistance to millions across the world – often in extremely dangerous and hard-to-access conditions – has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), which provides lifesaving food assistance to millions across the world – often in extremely dangerous and hard-to-access conditions – has been awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.
Mali’s transitional President has appointed a new Prime Minister, the UN’s top official in the West African country told the UN Security Council on Thursday, detailing the significant events which has ushered in a new political era, since the 18 August coup d’état.
Armed conflict has a disproportionate impact on women and girls – a key reason why women’s “full, equal and meaningful participation” in UN peacekeeping is such a priority, the Secretary-General said on Thursday.
New York, 9 October 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has touched every aspect of our lives, testing us all.
Throughout these difficult times, I have found inspiration in the essential workers who have kept our communities and societies running smoothly in extremely difficult circumstances.
I offer my sincere thanks to the world’s postal workers who have...
The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has strongly condemned an attack, on the night of 4 October, targeting a convoy carrying internally displaced persons in Burkina Faso, in which 25 people were killed.
New York, 8 October 2020
Excellencies, colleagues and friends,
Today, I have the honor of meeting – albeit remotely – four formidable women leaders who strive for peace in their regions and countries.
Thank you for joining us as we mark both the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and 20 years since the adoption of Security Council Resolution...
Given the history of intercommunal violence in Guinea, two high-level UN Officials voiced concern on Tuesday over the risk of “incitement to hostility, discrimination or violence” as the country gears up for elections on 18 October.
Decades of developments in the space sector are being utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping countries to keep their citizens safe and economies on track, the head of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) said on Wednesday, in a speech to a virtual conference held by the world’s richest nations.
Planning for a drawdown of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is well underway, but much work still remains to be done to put the country firmly on the path to long-term stability and sustainable development, the Security Council heard today.
New York, 7 October 2020
Nine months since we first heard of COVID-19, the pandemic has claimed more than one million lives and infected more than 30 million people in 190 countries. Infections are rising and there are troubling signs of new waves.
Much about the virus remains unknown. But one basic fact is clear: the world was not prepared.
...The UN Secretary-General said on Tuesday that he was “closely monitoring” the situation in the Kyrgyz Republic, where protests erupted a day earlier in the aftermath of Sunday’s parliamentary elections.
Thousands of children continue to suffer grievously as unrelenting violence persists across eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Tuesday, expressing deep concern.
The Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) inform with regret that it was not possible to hold the scheduled round of discussions on 6-7 October in Geneva as previously announced, since not all participants were able to attend.
We strongly believe that face-to-face meetings are critical to prevent security incidents and respond to humanitarian needs, especially at a time when there are worrying developments in the region and a surge of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.
We intend to continue virtual and, when possible, in-person consultations with all participants to prepare for the 51st round, which has now been re-scheduled for early December 2020.
In these consultations, we will reiterate our call on all participants to engage in constructive dialogue and to cooperate across the dividing lines, to provide safety and improve livelihoods, as part of the GID mandate.
We count on the commitment of all participants to the Geneva Discussions and urge all to start preparing as soon as possible so that it can take place.
We look forward to continuing the discussions with the participants in the coming weeks, with a view to organising the 51st GID round in Geneva in December 2020.
Read here the latest UNSOM Quarterly Newsletter
The United Nations Secretary-General has condemned the continuing escalation of violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, reminding all sides of their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Violent protests sparked by the murder of a high-profile legal scholar are threatening to push Haiti into a spiral of instability, Special Representative Helen La Lime told the Security Council on Monday, as she outlined UN efforts to help overcome the impasse engulfing the country.
A “rare opportunity” for peace in Libya should be seized by all those involved directly or indirectly in the conflict, António Guterres said on Monday, at a High-Level virtual meeting convened to end the fighting.
The United Nations has strongly condemned Saturday’s suicide attack on a government building in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, and underlined that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.
New York, 5 October 2020
Each year World Habitat Day focuses attention on the state of the world’s towns and cities. This year’s observance highlights the centrality of housing as a driver for sustainable urban development.
Currently, 1 billion people live in overcrowded settlements with inadequate housing. By 2030, that number will rise to 1.6 billion. Action is needed now to...
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
Security CouncilMladenov: Settlement expansion and demolitions a continued threat to a two-State solution Central AfricaDebate on the challenge of poverty in Central Africa in a COVID-19 context
Côte d'IvoireSpecial Representative concludes pre-electoral visit to Côte d'Ivoire
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AfghanistanPanelists seek support of elders and Ulema in calling for violence reduction
IraqInternational Translation Day
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
The elimination of nuclear weapons is vital to the “survival of life on this planet”, the UN chief told the final major event of the General Assembly’s high level week on Friday.
Thank you, Mister Chairman.
It is a pleasure and honor to be with you on the 20th anniversary of the landmark resolution on women, peace and security – Security Council resolution 1325 (2000).
Since its adoption, we have made significant progress in understanding and addressing the challenges women face in achieving full and equal participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and sustaining peace.
We know that societies that give women the space to participate fully in political and socio-economic life are among the most resilient and most peaceful. We have mounting evidence that peacemaking and peacebuilding are more successful when women are involved. But there is still much room for improvement.
Women’s contributions to peace and security are still often outside the mainstream of formal efforts, and too frequently undervalued. I appreciate that the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) gives space to women making such contributions in challenging contexts.
I look forward today to hearing directly from civil society briefers who have joined us from Nigeria and Guatemala, as well as representatives from UN Women and the African Union.
Mr. Chairman.
Let me begin by noting that the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) has been at the forefront of action across the UN system to strengthen gender-responsive peacemaking and peacebuilding. As a policy, we include women in peace negotiations led by the United Nations.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken steps to ensure that women’s voices are included and amplified in virtual conflict resolution and peacebuilding activities. The Special Envoy for Syria and the Special Representative for Colombia are using digital platforms to consult regularly with women’s groups, advisory boards and mediators’ networks.
In Yemen, the Special Envoy conducted large-scale virtual consultations with over 500 Yemenis, including many Yemeni women’s networks.
The restrictions on travel and in-person meetings have led us to realize the enormous potential to increase the transparency and inclusion of our peacemaking efforts through new technologies. We have been able to include more women and youth in our dialogues than ever before, thanks to digital tools.
Excellencies, last year, I issued a new Women, Peace and Security policy to ensure that we integrate women’s meaningful participation and gender-sensitive analysis in all our peace efforts. To this end, we are now training more women mediators and supporting women’s advisory groups.
With UN Women, the Peacebuilding Support Office is updating the Secretary-General’s Seven-Point Action Plan to further strengthen the framework guiding the UN system’s work on gender-responsive peacebuilding. The updated action plan includes improving the monitoring and accountability framework of UN gender-responsive peacebuilding interventions.
In this regard, I would like to commend the Peacebuilding Commission for its efforts to reduce the gap between the aspirations and the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, including through the adoption of a gender strategy in 2016. I would like to convey appreciation to Ireland for its support to this year’s review of the strategy.
The report on the review of the strategy takes stock of the progress in ensuring a more systematic integration of gender perspectives across the work of the Peacebuilding Commission. It shows the expansion of gender considerations, particularly over the last two years.
And the report recommends strengthened gender references in the Commission’s advice to the Security Council and the inclusion of business leaders, ex-combatants and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence among the women peacebuilders who engage with the Commission.
Colleagues, we must recognize that COVID-19 is deepening and magnifying the challenges women face in their societies. Indeed, it has only highlighted how fragile the progress we have made really is.
The pandemic has exacerbated existing gender inequalities in conflict-affected countries, and because of its socio-economic impact, women and girls are at risk of further marginalization from education and economic and political life.
Women peacebuilders increasingly find themselves on the frontlines of efforts to protect and support women and girls, as well as other vulnerable segments of society.
Since the outset of the pandemic, the PBC has served as a platform to hear accounts of these efforts, including the role of women in facilitating access to healthcare, humanitarian aid, psycho-social support and social services as well as initiatives to address the pandemic’s devastating economic fallout by teaching women skills to make goods or provide services needed by their communities during this time.
But while women are mobilizing at local levels in response to the crisis, they continue to be largely marginalized from COVID-19 response planning and decision-making processes. This is particularly true in conflict settings.
In response to the pandemic, the Peacebuilding Fund made rapid adjustments to many of its gender programs. In Colombia, PBF funding has strengthened protection for women health care workers and human rights defenders who are now more vulnerable to sexual and domestic violence. In Guatemala, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has with PBF support conducted awareness-raising and protection activities for women at higher risk of domestic violence in the context of lockdown measures.
Excellencies,
The implementation of the women, peace and security agenda is only possible with dedicated and predictable capacity and financing. The Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) has allocated 40 percent of its total investments to gender-responsive peacebuilding every year in recognition of the vital role women can and should play in building and sustaining peace. The PBF has made more investments in spearheading women and youth engagement than any other pooled fund in the UN system.
Furthermore, DPPA has allocated 17% of its extra-budgetary funds from its Multi-Year Appeal to projects supporting women. To ensure we can monitor, report and hold ourselves accountable, we have developed a gender marker to track the mainstreaming of gender issues in all our initiatives.
We need the full support of Member States to continue and expand this work, and we look to the PBC as an important ally and advocate.
Let me end by stressing that we all have a role to play to fulfil the Women, Peace and Security agenda: Member States, the UN system and women’s organizations at the regional, national and local levels. And we all continue to look to the Peace Building Commission and its unique convening and advisory role in furthering this collective endeavor.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The UN Secretary-General repeated his call for a global ceasefire on Friday, commemorating the International Day of Non Violence, which is taking place this year in the shadow of the devastating human and socio-economic impacts resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
The UN Secretary-General has called for parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) to prioritize national dialogue and consensus-building ahead of elections scheduled to begin in December.
