The Work of Peace
New virtual exhibit launched
On the International Day of Peace on 21 September, DPPA launched a new mini-website/virtual exhibit entitled The Work of Peace. The website highlights the work of the UN in preventive diplomacy, good offices, mediation and elections over the past 75 years, and looks ahead at what the future may hold for this work. The virtual exhibit aims to bring to life the enduring ability of the UN to innovate, adapt and evolve while staying true to the core principles and values of the Charter and the laws and standards forged by its membership over the last three quarters of a century. In that time, the UN has become ever more inclusive and representative, always striving to reflect the full diversity of our world, as evident through the organization’s work in decolonization, which gave a seat at the table to previously disenfranchised parts of the world; progress on the women, peace and security agenda, which aims to ensure that women have their rightful place in making and building peace; youth, peace and security; and efforts to engage civil society and marginalized groups, including through the use of technology and innovative methods.
Check out the exhibit here
Security Council
DiCarlo reiterates full UN support for Sudan's transition
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo on 25 September updated the Security Council on the situation in Sudan and the work of the new special political mission in the country – UNITAMS. Ms. DiCarlo reiterated full UN support to Sudan’s transition, and called on donors to make good on recent pledges for the country. “I am encouraged by the recent indications of progress on delisting Sudan from the United States State Sponsors of Terrorism list,” the Under-Secretary-General said.
Read her full remarks here
Afghanistan
Peace official joined by youth and women from provinces around Kabul to discuss Doha negotiations
High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) representatives were joined over the weekend by a group of Afghan youth and women from provinces around Kabul in a peace outreach event at which they presented a declaration listing their expectations of peace talks in Doha. Young Afghans from across the central provinces of Kabul, Kapisa, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Panjshir and Parwan in a series of online discussions developed a vision of peace that they wanted. They selected 34 peers who then conveyed to HCNR Deputy Head, Asadullah Saadati, a strong call for the prioritization of a reduction in violence and a ceasefire. The meeting was organized by UNAMA in partnership with HCNR and the 'Women and Youth of Kabul City’.
Read more here
The future we want is peace, equality and opportunities for all
A future free from violence and discrimination and where every person can meet their full potential is a vision shared by Afghans across the country, according to a series of discussions held this year on their hopes and ideas for a better world as part of the global UN75 initiative to create a collective vision for the future we want. In the latest and final of a series of discussions held in several Kabul municipal districts, about two dozen young people, including women and those living with disabilities, mulled over the question of what future they want. Participants echoed views expressed by their peers throughout the country and around the world, of “a world free from violence and discrimination,” in which all people are treated equally and afforded the same opportunities to become their best.
Read more here
Asia-Pacific
Young peacebuilders share their experiences and what YPS means to them
A #Youth4Peace in Asia-Pacific virtual forum on 23 September, convened by the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY) and the Asia Youth Peace Network (AYPN), in partnership with DPPA and UNFPA, served as an interactive platform for over a hundred young people to share their experiences in peacebuilding work and what the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda means to them. The Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth, Jayathma Wickramanayake, inspired participants to continue to be sources of resilience, courage, and innovation to build and sustain peace in their communities and to keep generating ideas on how to take forward the YPS agenda. DPPA will continue its YPS work in Asia-Pacific with a series of activities that target young peacebuilders from Southeast Asia in October-November 2020 and pursue its partnership with Northeast Asian young leaders and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs on the role of youth in promoting the UN peace and disarmament agenda.
Central Asia
Women parliamentarians advance Women, Peace and Security agenda at regional seminar
On International Day of Peace on 21 September, UNRCCA organized an online regional seminar on “Women Parliamentarians’ Partnership for Peace and Stability in Central Asia and Afghanistan”. A four-day event gathered parliamentarians from the countries of the region with the aim to strengthen the role of women parliamentarians in promoting implementation of the Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. “Women parliamentarians representing all levels of society have potential to build consensus on a broad range of issues through dialogue, mediation and negotiation efforts,” Special Representative Natalia Gherman said in her remarks.
Read more here
General Assembly side event on Central Asian experiences with Individuals returned from Syria and Iraq
UNRCCA, in partnership with the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) within the United Nations Office for Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), on 25 September convened an online side event entitled “Central Asian experience with individuals returned from Syria and Iraq: successes, challenges, and lessons learned” during the current 75th anniversary session of the UN General Assembly. The event aimed to highlight the Central Asian experience and the UN support available to Member States that have repatriated or are committed to repatriate their nationals from camps in north-eastern Syria and Iraq.
Read more here
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Iraq
“Islamic Day to Counter the Violence against Women”
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative and Head of UNAMI, on 19 September addressed the 12th annual international conference, “Islamic Day to Counter the Violence against Women”, organized by the Al-Hakim International Foundation in Baghdad. While referring to unspeakable acts of conflict-related violence in Iraq’s recent history, she also decried violence against women as a commonplace occurrence that is most acutely felt in the domestic context. Describing the use of violence at home as a “silent crisis”, the Special Representative welcomed ongoing efforts to address the issue in order to ensure the safety and security of all family members.
Read more here
Video from the conference
Meeting with the Prime Minister of Iraq
Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on 19 September was received in Baghdad by Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi. They discussed cooperation on early elections as well as the file of the internally displaced persons.
Central Africa
The Head of UNOCA meets with the newly appointed President of ECCAS Commission
François Louncény Fall, Special Representative and Head of UNOCA, had a working session on 21 September in Libreville (Gabon), with the newly appointed President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) Commission, Gilberto Da Piedade Verissimo. Exchanges were focused on the political and security situation in Central Africa. They also shared their views and analysis on the prevailing electoral context in the Central Africa Republic. The two senior officials met again on 23 September with their respective teams and experts to discuss issues of common interest and priorities as well as ways to enhance their partnership and cooperation in the fields of preventive diplomacy, amongst others.
Cote d’Ivoire
Special Representative visits Cote d’Ivoire
As part of the UN’s support for the organization of a peaceful, inclusive, transparent and credible presidential election, , Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and Head of UNOWAS, began a one-week visit to Côte d'Ivoire on 21 September. During his visit, Mr. Ibn Chambas will meet with President Alassane Ouattara. He will also have a series of meetings with members of the government, political actors, representatives of the civil society, representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as the United Nations country team. The election is scheduled for 31 October 2020.
Somalia
Shaping peace together: Somali youth as change-makers
Somalia’s youth need to be change-makers and actively take part in politics, reconciliation, peace-building, elections and ongoing efforts to help develop their country – this was the main message stemming from a recent panel discussion which brought together more than 30 youth representing different parts of Somali society. “A country is saved by its youth. It is the youth who lead in all efforts to bring change, hence it is good for the youth to also participate in politics and to be part of the positive change and development in the country,” the Executive Director of the Somali Youth Civic Organization (SYCO), Abdiwasa Idriss Jelle, said at the gathering, held at a venue in Mogadishu this past Monday. The event was organized by SYCO, a local non-governmental organization which focuses on youth development and leadership, de-radicalization and livelihoods, with the support of UNSOM. Held on the International Day of Peace, celebrated globally on 21 September, the event was aimed at helping empower Somali youth, and underpinned by the belief that youth who are well-informed and engaged are well-placed to help rebuild and transform their country.
Read more here
Colombia
UN Mission leads several events to celebrate the day of peace
Between seminars, concerts, reconciliation activities, and the 100 Messages of Peace campaign, the UN Mission joined millions of Colombians to commemorate the international day of peace on 21 September. In Caquetá, in the Amazonas region, in the seminar "Latin American Experiences of Peace," representatives of the Mission shared perspectives on the implementation of the Peace Agreement. The Arauca department hosted the conversation "Arauca Territory of Peace" about the advances and challenges in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. And in Medellín city, there was a concert and an act of reconciliation between victims and perpetrators. Former combatants from the departments of Cauca and Chocó participated in activities with local communities. Also, the Special Representative, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, participated in the global event "Peace One Day," accompanied by social leader Marina Gallego of the "Ruta Pacifica de las Mujeres platform." Finally, the 100 Messages of Peace campaign, launched on 1 September, received more than 2000 messages from Colombians who expressed their desire for peace consolidation in the country.
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