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This Week in DPPA, 20 - 26 July 2019


 

20 - 26 July 2019

This Week in DPPA aims to keep you abreast of developments and events on the agenda of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, at UN HQ and in the field, and especially those that sometimes "fly under the radar".

Security Council 

Kubiš: Council signals continued for UN missions in Lebanon
After briefing the Security Council in closed session on 22 July, Special Coordinator Ján Kubiš noted strong common ground and unity in the Council in support of UNSCOL and UNIFIL’s work in Lebanon. Mr. Kubiš’s briefing focused on the implementation of resolution 1701, related to the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, as well as on his recent activities in the region.
Read full press statement on UNSCOL’s website

DPPA chief warns of dangerous paralysis in Middle East peace efforts
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, on 23 July. The dangerous paralysis that prevails in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fueling extremism and exacerbating tensions, leading to a loss of hope that peace can ever be achieved through negotiation, the USG told the Council. "The circumstances will hardly ever be ideal for advancing peace. But let us do our utmost with conviction, hope and creativity to support the creation of those circumstances,» the USG said.
Read her full statement here
Read more in UN News

Regional approach needed to stem terrorist threat in the Sahel
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) briefed the Security Council on the developments in the region on 24 July. The peace and security environment in the region remains relatively stable despite worsening security in the entire Sahel. The SRSG hailed progress made in the consolidation of democracy through peaceful transfers of power. He also urged “governments and partners to redouble their efforts in defining a concerted approach to prevent a further expansion of the terrorist threat.”
Read his full statement here


Afghans deserve peace and the right to choose their representatives
Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo briefed the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on 26 July. The briefing focused on the upcoming Presidential election in September and the peace process in the country. "Afghans deserve peace and the right to choose their representatives. The UN remains committed to assist Afghanistan in its efforts for peace stability and prosperity," Ms. DiCarlo said.
Read her full statement here

Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed briefed the Council on implementation of the women, peace and security agenda in Afghanistan. "Afghan women, like women everywhere, must play a part in decisions that will affect their future," Ms. Mohammed said. 


Afghanistan

Women, peace and security in focus as senior UN officials visit Afghanistan
Together with Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Exective Director of UNFPA, Natalia Kanem, and Head of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo travelled to Afghanistan from 20 – 21 July. The  delegation focused on women, peace and security. Their discussions included meetings with a diverse group of women leaders and activists, hosted by First Lady Rula Ghani, and President Ashraf Ghani. “At the end of two days we have been impressed with the leadership at all levels of government from Kabul out to the local areas, where you see that there is an investment in people, in particular in women’s empowerment,” DSG Mohammed said. 
Read more in UN News

 

Youth underscore their key role in preventing violent extremism
Young people should be at the forefront of preventing and responding to violent extremism, said participants at a UN-backed youth event held in Kabul. More than 80 youth, government officials, academics and religious scholars attended the event. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan is supporting a local peace initiative on promoting social cohesion, and the event was the first of a series of planned community discussions amongst youth and women in Kabul. Read the full story on UNAMA’s website

 

Yemen

Griffiths: "I believe that this war in Yemen is eminently resolvable"
The Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, told a press briefing in Geneva on 23 July he believed " this war in Yemen is eminently resolvable." "Both parties continue to insist that they want a political solution and the military solution is not available, they remain committed to the Stockholm agreement in all its different aspects," he added.  
Read the full story at OSESGY’s website

 

Libya

UN re-opens bidding on financial audit review of the two branches of the Central Bank of LibyaThe United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS), at the request of UNSMIL, re-opened the bidding process for a financial audit review of the two branches of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) on 23 July. The tendering process will remain open for three weeks after which the UN will select the best offer based on international standards after having consulted the two CBL branches.
Read the full story on UNSMIL’s website

 

Somalia

International Partners visit Galmudug
A delegation of Somalia’s regional and international partners visited Dhusamareeb on 22 July to hear about developments in the Federal Member State of Galmudug and attend a ceremony marking initial steps in integration of some local security forces into the Somali National Army. The delegation included representatives of the African Union, Ethiopia, the European Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, Italy, Kenya, Qatar, Turkey, and the United Nations. James Swan, Special Representative and Head of UNSOM, led the delegation.
Read the full story on UNSOMS website

 


 

Great Lakes 

Assessment mission on reintegration of former combatants
The Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes undertook an assessment mission on reintegration of former Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda combatants, repatriated to Rwanda in November 2018. The mission concluded that most ex-combatants are resettled, but more support is needed to consolidate the process.
For more information, please contact DPPA

 

Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana 

ASG Jenča underscores the importance of the Caribbean region
The Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Miroslav Jenča, visited Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana this week. In Trinidad and Tobago, he commended the Government’s leadership on peace and security and its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The ASG also discussed UN–Caribbean Community (CARICOM) cooperation and national and regional issues. In Guyana, he met the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and the opposition leader, and they discussed local and regional issues. At the UN–CARICOM General meeting, Mr Jenca underscored the importance of the Caribbean region, especially in light of the Climate Summit and other high-level events in September. On UN – CARICOM cooperation, he noted: "We can all be proud of the great achievments it has yielded."
For more information, please contact DPPA

 

Colombia

"There is no 'way to peace'. Peace is the only way": children of Arauca
The UN Verification Mission in Colombia helped judge the first intercollegiate art contest on "Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Peace", held in the city of Arauca in northeastern Colombia on 22 July. The entries by the young artists were said to have impressed the jurors with different messages rejecting violence and calling for preserving peace. "There is no ‘way to peace’. Peace is the only way," said one mural depicting the laying down of weapons by former FARC-EP combatants. The activity was organized by the Colombian Reintegration and Normalization Agency (ARN).
For more information, please contact DPPA


 

"Building peace, territory and life"
A two-day workshop on 'Building peace, territory and life' was held in the municipality of Chapparal in the southern deparment of Tolima on 24 – 25 July.  Public officials, leaders of social organizations, people in the process of reintegration, teachers and journalists attended the workshop. The objective was to work together against stigmatization and make an agreement for healthy coexistence, reconciliation and peace building in this region of the country. The workshop was possible with the support of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, the Colombian Agency for Reintegration and Normalization, FARC and the University of Tolima.
For more information, please contact DPPA

 

 

 

 

 

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